Film Review- "Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story."

In the 1984 TV film "Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story." Actress Theresa Saldana gives the performance of a lifetime as herself just a couple of years earlier.

On March 5, 1982, Ms. Saldana was attacked and nearly killed by a mentally ill stalker. Theresa spent months in the hospital recovering from her injuries and in that time she not only endured terrible physical pain, but also crushing depression and the terror of the attack.

During her recovery, Saldana is not always a  sympathetic figure. She complains, she is demanding at times, and at one point, gets into a serious argument with a nurse. It takes a brave person and actress to be willing to show themselves in such a negative light.

Theresa Saldana is well known for her performance in "Raging Bull" but in my opinion, her best work as an actress was as herself in "Victims for Victims."

Theresa Saldana passed away on June 6, 2016 at the age of 61.

Book Review- "The First Woman Doctor." by Rachel Baker

"The First Woman Doctor" by Rachel Baker is the remarkable story of Elizabeth Blackwell the first woman to graduate from medical school in the United States.

Elizabeth Blackwell was born in England in 1821 and later moved with her family to America. In 1847, Elizabeth was accepted to Geneva Medical College in New York. Elizabeth faced many challenges as the only female in the class.Among other problems, some did not want her to examine male cadavers, but  Elizabeth did eventually prevail and graduated first in her class.

After graduating in 1849, Elizabeth had trouble finding a position. A woman medical doctor was just unheard of at the time. After some time in Europe, Elizabeth returned to New York and opened a clinic for the poor which was also quite unusual for the period.

In the 1860s, Elizabeth Blackwell opened her own medical college for women.  

I read The First Woman Doctor some years ago, and I found the story fascinating and well worth reading. I am still a little surprised that Doctor Blackwell does not get the recognition today that she so much deserves.