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By Michelle Browder
The “Mothers of Gynecology” monument by Michelle Browder, unveiled in Montgomery, Alabama, in 2021, stands as a powerful testament to the resilience and suffering of Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy—three enslaved black women, mothers who bore the burden of J. Marion Sims’ brutal medical experiments during the mid-19th century, it confronts head-on the legacy of Sims’ exploitative practices, challenging the prevailing narrative that celebrates him as a pioneer in modern gynecology while erasing the pain and trauma inflicted upon these women. Sims is remembered for his development of a surgical process for the repair of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), which was a complication experienced as part of childbirth. The National Institutes Of Health describes VVF as “an abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina that results in continuous and unremitting urinary incontinence.“
The monument stands in stark contrast to the 1939 monument erected to honor Sims as the “father of modern gynecology.” It should be noted that Sims has monuments erected in his honor in several states, including Alabama. A monument erected in his honor in 1934 in New York has been removed.
Unlike the Sims monument, which glorifies his achievements without acknowledging the atrocities committed in the name of science, Browder’s monument serves as a stark reminder of the ethical complexities and injustices inherent in the pursuit of medical progress. Through its title, “Mothers of Gynecology,” it defiantly reclaims the agency and dignity of Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy, ensuring that their contributions to the field are recognized and honored.
Browder’s decision to create the monument was driven by her desire to shed light on the exploitation endured by these enslaved black women and to elevate their voices in a narrative that has long marginalized them. Funded through private donations and Browder’s resources, the project embodies her commitment to challenging conventional narratives and amplifying the experiences of those who have been historically silenced.
By confronting the complex ethical issues and human rights violations inherent in Sims’ experiments, Browder’s monument compels us to reckon with the enduring legacies of exploitation and injustice in medical history. It serves as a call to action, urging us to confront uncomfortable truths.
Check out this interview with Browder, where she shares more details about the monument.
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