Kate Breckenridge Karpeles

American medical doctor (1887-1941)

Kate Breckenridge Karpeles, from a 1918 photograph by the War Department, in the National Archives.

Kate Breckenridge Karpeles (October 1887 – August 15, 1941) was an American medical doctor. She was the first woman to be appointed a contract surgeon by the United States Army, during World War I, and she served as president of the American Medical Women's Association.

## Early life[edit]

Katherine Breckenridge Bogle was born in Danville, Kentucky, the daughter of Dr. John Cowan Bogle and Della MacFerran. Her father was a medical doctor.[1] She attended Kentucky College for Women and completed undergraduate studies at Goucher College in 1909, and earned her medical degree at Johns Hopkins University in 1914.[2]

## Career[edit]

As a new medical doctor, Kate Bogle had internships at Garfield Hospital (1914–1915) in Washington, D. C.[3] In 1918, she became the first woman[4] appointed as a contract surgeon with the United States Army, stationed in Washington, D. C.[5] as assistant surgeon at the Emergency Dispensary, treating civilian employees of the War Department.[6] She held the equivalent rank of first lieutenant.[7][8]

After the war, in addition to her private practice and hospital affiliation, she worked with the Women's Bureau of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington,[9] and spoke to women's organizations.[10][11] In 1932, she donated her medical services to the Bonus Army protesters and their families in their encampment.[12] She was president of the American Medical Women's Association from 1938 to 1939.[13] In that role, she petitioned Congress for women military doctors to receive the same pay, rank, and benefits as their male colleagues.[1][14]

## Personal life[edit]

Kate Breckenridge Bogle married Simon Rufus Karpeles; Simon, also a medical doctor,[15] was the son of Leopold Karpeles.[16] They had two children, Della and Leopold.[17] She was injured in a car accident in 1939.[18] Kate Karpeles died in 1941, aged 54 years.[19] Her remains are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b Brenda S. Edwards, "Boyle Doctor Fought for Equality for Women" Advocate-Messenger (August 24, 2014): 26.
2. ^ Johns Hopkins University, University Register (1919): 1606.
3. ^ Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Announcements (1919): 890.
4. ^ Judith Bellafaire, Mercedes Herrera Graf, Women Doctors in War (Texas A&M University Press 2009): 37-38. ISBN 9781603441469
5. ^ "Kate B. Karpeles, MD" AMWA.
6. ^ "Women and the War" Public Ledger (March 28, 1918): 3. via Newspapers.com
7. ^ "Woman Gets Lieutenancy in U. S. Army" Washington Herald (March 20, 1918): 2. via Newspapers.com
8. ^ "Woman to be Army 'Officer'" Washington Post (March 20, 1918): 7.
9. ^ Report of the Government of the District of Columbia (1920): 258.
10. ^ "Dr. Kate Karpeles Will Address Group" Washington Post (February 18, 1940): S4.
11. ^ "Homemakers Clubs Hold Achievement Day Rally" Washington Post (November 16, 1935): 2.
12. ^ "Women Physicians" Hopkins and the Great War.
13. ^ "100 Years of AMWA Presidents" American Medical Women's Association: The Vision and Voice of Women in Medicine (2016): 10.
14. ^ "Women Seek War Service in Medical Corps" Washington Post (December 4, 1938): 13.
15. ^ Medical Society of the District of Columbia: 1817-1909 (1909): 380.
16. ^ Seymour Brody, Jewish Heroes & Heroines of America: 151 True Stories of Jewish American Heroism (Frederick Fell Publishers 2004): 69. ISBN 9780883910269
17. ^ "Dr. Kate Bogel Karpeles" American Women Physicians in WWI, AMWA.
18. ^ "Bee Causes D. C. Motorist to Drive Off Road; 2 Hurt" Washington Post (June 5, 1939): 1.
19. ^ "Dr. Kate Karpeles Claimed by Death" Advocate-Messenger (August 17, 1941): 1. via Newspapers.com

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kate Breckenridge Karpeles.

* A 1938 photo of Kate B. Karpeles, in the Harris & Ewing Collection at the Library of Congress.