The Impact Of Dorothea Dix On The
Treatment Of The Mentally Ill Dorothea Dix played a major part in the improvement and founding of mentally ill hospitals. Dix submitted her first pamphlet to the state legislature in 1843. During that time, pamphlets were the only way women could have a voice in politics. Women were not allowed to vote or even speak before a legislature. In her “memorial” Dorothea showed the world the harsh treatment and neglect that the mentally ill faced. Manon S. Parry wrote, she was a leading figure in those national and international movements that challenged the idea that people with mental disturbances could not be cured or helped (Parry). Many believe that Dix drive to help the mentally ill stemmed from personal experience. Dorothea Lynde Dix was born April 1802 in Hamden, Maine. She is the daughter of minister Joseph Dix and Mary Bigelow. Her family was poor so she would travel a lot to Boston to live with her …show more content…
As appointed superintendent of U.S. Army nurses Dix trained many women, including Louisa May Alcott. After the war Dix continued where she had left off. At the age of seventy-nine, Dix took her final tour in New England and New York and after it was over she retired in Trenton, New Jersey. Five years later Dorothea died. Dorothea Dix never married. She was a caretaker for her family, a school teacher to girls, and an advocate and reformer for the mentally ill (DesRochers). During a time when women had no voice, Dorothea Dix made her's heard. Thanks to her dedication, drive and passion light was shed on the horrible treatment the mentally insane and prisoners received. She made the world see them not as animals but as human beings. Dix traveled all over the world gaining supports and the funds necessary for the improvement of current facilities and the construction of new facilities. Her work continues to inspire others to follow in her
Treatment Of The Mentally Ill Dorothea Dix played a major part in the improvement and founding of mentally ill hospitals. Dix submitted her first pamphlet to the state legislature in 1843. During that time, pamphlets were the only way women could have a voice in politics. Women were not allowed to vote or even speak before a legislature. In her “memorial” Dorothea showed the world the harsh treatment and neglect that the mentally ill faced. Manon S. Parry wrote, she was a leading figure in those national and international movements that challenged the idea that people with mental disturbances could not be cured or helped (Parry). Many believe that Dix drive to help the mentally ill stemmed from personal experience. Dorothea Lynde Dix was born April 1802 in Hamden, Maine. She is the daughter of minister Joseph Dix and Mary Bigelow. Her family was poor so she would travel a lot to Boston to live with her …show more content…
As appointed superintendent of U.S. Army nurses Dix trained many women, including Louisa May Alcott. After the war Dix continued where she had left off. At the age of seventy-nine, Dix took her final tour in New England and New York and after it was over she retired in Trenton, New Jersey. Five years later Dorothea died. Dorothea Dix never married. She was a caretaker for her family, a school teacher to girls, and an advocate and reformer for the mentally ill (DesRochers). During a time when women had no voice, Dorothea Dix made her's heard. Thanks to her dedication, drive and passion light was shed on the horrible treatment the mentally insane and prisoners received. She made the world see them not as animals but as human beings. Dix traveled all over the world gaining supports and the funds necessary for the improvement of current facilities and the construction of new facilities. Her work continues to inspire others to follow in her