Charlotte Whitehead

Charlotte Whitehead (Ross) (15 July 1843 – 21 February 1916) was a physician important to Canadian history for her role in furthering the cause of women in medicine, particularly in Manitoba.

Born in Darlington, England on 15 July 1843, Charlotte emigrated to Canada with her parents in 1847, settling in Montreal. She married David Ross, a Scotsman, who was engaged in railway construction with her father. Encouraged by her husband, she entered the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and over a ten-year period completed her course in 1875. During that time she also had four children. Her husband remained in Montreal while she practised medicine there.

Her father and her husband moved west to construct the Canadian Pacific Railway line between Kenora and Winnipeg, and the Ross family settled in Whitemouth. Learning of her medical qualifications, the people of the district persuaded her to practise, but because Whitemouth was in disputed territory between Manitoba and Ontario it was necessary to pass national legislation enabling her to do so. It was never approved.

Charlotte continued to practise for many years, however, even though she was never formally licensed by the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons. The needs of the people outweighed the restrictive rules of the government. She moved to Winnipeg in 1916 and died at her home, 144 Lenore Street, on 21 February 1916 and was buried in Brookside Cemetery. The Charlotte W. Ross Gold Medal for highest honours in obstetrics is given annually in the Manitoba Medical College.

Charlotte was a daughter of Joseph Whitehead (Canadian politician) and Isabella Gibbings; she married David Ross on 27 August 1861, and they had eight children together. Among her descendants practicing medicine were Dr. Edith Ross (Winnipeg) and Dr. Joseph Donovan Ross (Edmonton), and her great-great granddaughter Val Meredith served as a Member of Parliament.

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