Clemence Sophia Harned Lozier

Clemence Sophia Lozier ( Harned; December 11, 1813 — April 26, 1888) was an American physician who founded the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. Dr. Lozier was also a noted feminist and activist, and served as president of the New York City Suffrage League and the National Women's Suffrage Association.

Early life Clemence Sophia Harned, daughter of farmer David Harned and Hannah (Walker) Harned, was born on December 11, 1812, in Plainfield, New Jersey. Before residing in Plainfield, the family lived in Virginia among Indian tribes. This is where Lozier's mother gained valuable information from the Indians that aided her in becoming an attendant to the sick. She was the youngest of 13 children and was orphaned at 11 years old. While living with relatives, she finished her schooling at Plainfield Academy. Two of her older brothers were successful preachers in the Methodist church. Her father was also a well known presence in the church. This gave her the foundation for strong religious roots that she carried throughout her life.

She taught up to 60 students a year for 11 years. The students came from prominent families so Lozier was able to establish herself as a highly regarded teacher. She taught hygiene and anatomy which she learned from her older physician brother. He also helped guide her interest in medicine into her late thirties.

She was one of the first teachers in the city to introduce the study of Psychology, Hygiene and Anatomy as branches of the female education.

Ten years after graduation, Lozier founded the homeopathic New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. This became the most important institution for women's homeopathic education in the United States. Lozier struggled, even in her own institute, to promote gender equality. She began to replace male professors with competent women. There was an issue when Issac M. Ward in 1866 refused to leave his position when Lozier wanted to replace him with Ann Innman.

She graduated top of her class in 1853 and dedicated herself to the teachings of Samuel Hahnemann and the new homeopathic movement in medicine. Since her degree, in 1853 women could finally go to a hospital and be treated by a doctor of the same gender. Lozier studied medicine under the direction of her brother William Harned. William was a good reputable physician in New York and was partnered with Dr. Doane who was formerly a quarantine physician in a chemical laboratory.

In 1863, she founded the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women, the first of its kind.

As the first woman to read a scientific paper before the New York State Medical Society, Lozier also blazed a trail for female scientists. She further advocated for the incorporation of physiology classes in schools and preached the importance of education at meetings and in writing. Dr. Lozier is the reason women in New York could finally study medicine. Before her, there were no institutes in New York that offered classes to women. She became president and clinical professor of diseases of women (1863-1867) and dean and professor of gynecology (1867-1888) and had a private practice (1853-1888)

One of her most well-known documents was a short pamphlet, Child-Birth Made Easy, empowering mothers with knowledge. Lozier died from heart troubles two days after giving the 25th commencement speech in 1888 at the College she founded.