Philip H. Pearce Oral History Interviews, 2007, 2024
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Summary
- Creator:
- Pearce, Philip H.
- Abstract:
- Dr. Philip H. Pearce, a graduate of the Duke University School of Medicine, was a partner in the Durham Women's Clinic from 1967 to 2004 where he worked closely with Dr. Eleanor B. Easley, the clinic's co-founder. This collection contains 2 oral history interviews conducted on May 25, 2007 by Jessica Roseberry as part of the Women in Duke Medicine Oral History Exhibit and March 21, 2024 by Ava Meigs as part of the Bass Connections Agents of Change Oral History Project. In the May 25, 2007 interview, Pearce discusses Easley and the Durham Women's Clinic. In the March 21, 2024 interview, which primarily focuses on Easley as a pivotal figure at Duke and in Durham, Pearce discusses Easley's experiences as the first woman to receive a four-year medical degree from Duke, her primary responsibilities at the Durham Women's clinic, her abortion advocacy and involvement in medical politics, and her impact on women's health care and health equity. The themes of this interview includes gender discrimination, abortion advocacy, women's health, community activism, and health equity.
- Extent:
- 2 interviews (2 transcripts, 2 master CDs, 2 use CDs) and 76.4 MB
- Language:
- English
- Collection ID:
- OH.PEARCEP
Background
- Scope and content:
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Includes 2 oral history interviews with Dr. Philip H. Pearce conducted on May 25, 2007 by Jessica Roseberry as part of the Women in Duke Medicine Oral History Exhibit and March 21, 2024 by Ava Meigs as part of the Bass Connections Agents of Change Oral History Project.
In the May 25, 2007 interview, Pearce discusses Dr. Eleanor B. Easley and the Durham Women's Clinic.
In the March 21, 2024 interview, which primarily focuses on Easley as a pivotal figure at Duke and in Durham, Pearce discusses Easley's experiences as the first woman to receive a four-year medical degree from Duke, her primary responsibilities at the Durham Women's clinic, her abortion advocacy and involvement in medical politics, and her impact on women's health care and health equity. The themes of this interview includes gender discrimination, abortion advocacy, women's health, community activism, and health equity. - Biographical / historical:
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Philip H. Pearce
Philip H. Pearce, MD, a graduate of the Duke University School of Medicine, was a partner in the Durham Women's Clinic from 1967 to 2004.
Pearce first met Dr. Eleanor B. Easley during his rotation in the obstetrics and gynecology department at Watts Hospital. He then worked with Easley at the Durham Women's Clinic until her retirement.
Pearce was interviewed for this oral history project because he provides a unique perspective on Dr. Easley's clinical work and professional career, having worked with her in varied medical settings.
Eleanor B. Easley
Eleanor Beamer Easley, MD, was born in 1907 to Mae Celestine Van Auken and James Daniel Beamer. She received her AB degree from University of Idaho in 1928 and a MA from Iowa in 1929. In 1934, she became the first woman to graduate from Duke University School of Medicine's first four-year class. In 1941, Easley and Dr. Richard Pearse co-founded the Durham Women's Clinic, with the goal of improving women's health care. Easley was also a member of Duke University house staff and an associate in obstetrics and gynecology.
Easley was a pioneer in the use of anesthesiology for labor and delivery, education about birth control, early detection of breast cancer, preparation for childbirth, and counseling for sexual problems. Additionally, she promoted the use of the upright position for women in labor in certain difficult births and advocated for nurse-midwives in prenatal care and delivery.
At the Durham Women's Clinic, and in the face of gendered skepticism, Easley proved herself a shrewd businesswoman, an excellent physician, and a leader in her field. She was a fierce advocate for the legalization of abortion, as she had seen firsthand the consequences of illegal abortion; moreover, she understood the importance of socioeconomic factors in a woman's decision to terminate a pregnancy. Easley believed that women deserved autonomy over their bodies, and, to this end, she delivered talks around Durham, communicated with state representatives, and participated in legislative hearings to fight for safe, nondiscriminatory, legal abortions. Easley was adamant that women deserve a voice in decisions concerning their health, wellbeing, and livelihood. Yet, Easley also believed that abortion was not a satisfactory substitute for contraception and comprehensive sex education. She advocated the importance of contraception in preventing unintended pregnancies and of open dialogue in promoting safe sexual practices, viewing such tools as important opportunities in preventive medicine.
Throughout her career, Easley wrote and gave presentations about women's health and women working and living in a male-dominated culture. She was especially active giving presentations in the 1960s and 1970s. These presentations often discussed how economic, social, and psychological factors could affect health. A trailblazer in obstetrics and gynecology, Easley dedicated herself to patient care and health equity, tirelessly advocating for women throughout her career.
Outside of her work in the clinic, Easley was the first female president of the North Carolina Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. She also stayed active in medical politics through involvement with organizations like the North Carolina Medical Society.
In 1928, Easley married Howard Easley. Easley died in 1998. - Acquisition information:
- Accession A2007.127 (acquired by Jessica Roseberry, May 2007); Accession A2024.085 (transferred by Rebecca Williams, May 2024)
- Processing information:
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Processed by Jessica Roseberry: March 2009; encoded by Dawne Howard Lucas: April 2009; updated by Lucy Waldrop: December 2024
- Physical location:
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Duke University Medical Center Library's online catalog.
- Rules or conventions:
- DACS
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site.
- Personal Name(s):
- Easley, Eleanor B., 1907-1998
Pearce, Philip H.
Pearse, Richard - Corporate Name(s):
- Duke University. Medical Center
Duke University. School of Medicine
Duke University. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Durham Women's Clinic. (Durham, N.C.)
Watts Hospital (Durham, N.C.)
Lincoln Community Health Center (Durham, N.C.) - Topical Term(s):
- Physicians, Women.
Education, Medical.
Faculty.
Women's Health.
Gynecology.
Obstetrics.
Contents
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Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
- Preferred citation:
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[Identification of item], Philip H. Pearce Interviews, Duke University Medical Center Archives.