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Period: to
Life Span
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Runs away from family
At age 12 Dorothea Dix left her home due to her dysfunctional family. She went to Boston, Massachusettes to live with her grandmother, who would give her a better education. This shows that Dorothea was already independent and thinking about her future at a very young age. -
Starts Teaching
Since she was already very educated at the age of 14, she was able to start teaching. This introduced her to her passion of teaching. -
Founding Schools
In 1819, she founded the Dix Mansion, which was a school for girls. Dorothea also founded a charity school that poor girls could attend for free. This proves that she takes education seriously. -
Published Conversations on Common Things
Dorothea Dix published her most famous textbook, Conversations on Common Things. This book was the guide to knowledge and was to help families and schools. To ensure that everyone got an equal education she published this book. -
Visited England
When she became ill with tuberculosis, she was unable to continue teaching. The doctor suggested that she took a long vacation. Luckily, she came back to the United States with better health and was able to teach again. This shows that she has persistence because she wants to teach. -
Began teaching Sunday School at East Combridge Jail.
In 1841, Dorothea started teaching a Sunday School class at East Cambridge Jail, a women's prison. While she was there, she was amazed at the treatment of the insane. They would sometimes be left unclothed, in the dark, with no heat or sanitary facilities. This started her journey of fighting for the treatment of the mentally ill. -
Goes to Congress
Dorothea Dix asked Congress to set aside pieces of land to be used for the mentally ill as well as the blind and deaf. It was passed by Congress but was vetoed by President Pierce. But, this didn't stop her from fighting for the mentally ill's rights. -
Went back to Europe
When she was in Europe, she looked at the conditions of the mentally ill in each country. She recommended reforms in many countries, and, most significant, met with Pope Pius IX, who personally ordered construction of a new hospital for the mentally ill after hearing her report. -
Opened a new mental health asylum
Dorothea constantly visited Washington, DC, to negotiate with Congress about opening a hospital for the mentally disabled. They finally succeeded in establishing the Government Hospital for the Insane in DC, today known as St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, which formally opened in 1855. Since Dorothea Dix worked really hard she was able to accomplish what she wanted, which was to provide a safe place for the mentally ill. -
Was appointed superintendent of army nurses for the Civil War
She was responsible for setting up field hospitals and first-aid stations, recruiting nurses, managing supplies and setting up training programs. This was a big step in Dorothea's career because she was overseeing all of the nurses. Also, medical help was very important in the Civil War due to the many casualties and deaths.
