An Inspiring Example Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first black woman in the US to obtain a medical degree. She was born in 1833 and raised by her aunt in Pennsylvania. Her aunt was an important caregiver in the community, known for providing medical assistance to sick neighbors. Perhaps it was this early influence that fostered Crumpler’s desire to serve others. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first black woman in the US to obtain a medical degree. In 1852, Crumpler moved to Charlestown, MA where