Caroline Sanford Finley

Caroline Sanford Finley (18751936) was an American doctor who led the Women’s Oversea Hospitals unit, an all-female medical unit in World War I. She was also a suffragist whose overseas medical work was supported by the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Finley was a recipient of the French Croix de Guerre.

Early life and career Finley was born in New York in 1875. She attended Cornell University Medical College. She was one of the top ten students in her class, graduating in 1901. She was one of three suffragist doctors to received this award. She was also awarded an MBE from the Prince of Wales on the HMS Renown to recognize her work caring for former British prisoners of war who had influenza in Metz.