Mary Elizabeth McCracken, Date of Birth, Date of Death

Mary Elizabeth McCracken

first woman to overcome infantile paralysis to become a medical missionary

Date of Birth: 02-Feb-1911

Date of Death: 19-Oct-1945

Profession: missionary, medic

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Mary Elizabeth McCracken (February 2, 1911 – October 19, 1945) was the first woman to overcome infantile paralysis to become a medical missionary.
She was the third of eight children and the daughter of the medical missionaries Josiah Calvin McCracken and Helen Newpher McCracken, also known as the "McCrackens of Shanghai".
Mary Elizabeth followed her father's footsteps and worked alongside him to perform surgery on citizens affected by the Sino-Japanese conflict in Shanghai.
She also headed the pediatrics department of her father's Refugee Hospital for many years.Mary Elizabeth was often referred to as the "indomitable Mary" as she persevered until the end and did not let her disabilities hinder her service.
Despite her physical handicap, she finished at the top of her class at St.
John's University in Shanghai.