Martha Ripley
Martha George Ripley (November 30, 1843–1912) of Lowell, Vermont was an American physician and founder of the Maternity Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ripley was nominated director of public schools but not elected because she was female. She served six years as president of the Minnesota Suffrage Association.Maternity Hospital, later renamed Ripley Memorial Hospital, remained in operation until 1957, when it was closed due to low occupancy and funding problems. The hospital structure was sold, and the proceeds were used to create the Ripley Memorial Foundation. Since 1993, the foundation has focused on supporting programs that prevent teenage pregnancies.
