Guides: PDM Women's History: James Truman's Letter to Mary Stillwell, 1893

James Truman's Letter, 1893

James Truman's Letter
James Truman sent a letter to Mary Stillwell on the entrance of women into dentistry in 1893. Dr. James Truman was the editor of the International Dental Journal from 1890 to 1905 and a dean of the University of Pennsylvania's dental department.

In 1892, Dentist Mary Stillwell founded the Women's Dental Association of the U.S..

During the American Dental Association (ADA) annual meeting, several female dentists met in Milwaukee. They formed the Federation of American Women Dentists, now known as the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD). Their first president was Minnie Evangeline Jordon in 1921.

American Association of Women Dentists Because women dentists need to support each other! Although the gender composition of U.S. dentists has changed dramatically in the last twenty years, there’s not much else that has. Dental equipment is still designed for male bodies, journal ads are still aimed to a male audience and local dental meetings are still very much male territory. The American Association of Women Dentists, established in 1921, is the only dues-based national organization representing the interests of women dentists across the country. AAWD benefits its members from dental school through retirement.
Mary Stillwell Mary Haviland Stilwell Kuesel sometimes spelled Stillwell-Kuesel (April 30, 1866 – June 22, 1936) was a pioneer American dentist.[1] She was the founder of the Women's Dental Association of the United States, which she founded in 1892 with 12 charter members.[2]

James Truman

Dr. James Truman* was known as the "Father of Dentistry" in the US, per his obituary, and not so well known or appreciated for his work to help women gain admission to dental schools. His biography in a history* of Penn from 1901 makes no mention of what is arguably one of his greatest contributions to dentistry.

Below is his account of the personal and professional trial he went through to do the right thing. He notably and humbly apologizes for having to write the account in the first person. The complete letter is in the archives.

Fun aside: may have been the first dentist to achieve teeth whitening and he taught Doc Holliday.