A blue plaque honouring Sophia Jex-Blake was unveiled last Saturday in recognition of her medical work, teaching and suffrage campaigning.
The physician also helped establish the London School of Medicine for Women.
The plaque has been placed at 13 Sussex Square, a property where Jex-Blake lived with her family for 25 years.
Jex-Blake and fellow pioneer Elizabeth Garrett Anderson led the creation of the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874.
It provided women with a route to medical training and, from 1878, allowed its students to receive degrees from the University of London.
Clinical placements were organised with the Royal Free Hospital, which was then the sole institution admitting women to medical studies.
In 1998, the school joined with University College Medical School to create the institution now known as UCL Medical School.
Despite substantial resistance, Jex-Blake started studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 1869.
According to the account provided, she became Scotland’s first registered female doctor in 1978.
She also led the Edinburgh Seven, whose protests at the university opened new possibilities for women pursuing medical careers.
The plaque scheme was initiated by Brighton twins Izzy and Sophia Kilburn.
Seven years ago, when both sisters were aged ten, they began seeking blue plaques for notable women.
Their first successful effort marked the former home of Helena Normanton in Clifton Place, Brighton, after they discovered her grave in a nearby cemetery.
The sisters have since sought greater recognition of Brighton’s female historical figures and supported other commemorative projects.
These include a proposed statue of suffragette Mary Clarke, for which they serve as youth ambassadors.
That statue is expected to be erected in New Road within roughly a year.
The Jex-Blake unveiling also took place during the 150th anniversary of the Medical Act 1876.
Jex-Blake had campaigned for the legislation that enabled women to practise medicine.
Members of Brighton and Hove’s plaque panel initially presented obstacles to the sisters’ proposal, making it difficult to obtain the necessary approval and backing.
The Kilburn twins continued their lobbying and drew support from numerous individuals and organisations.
Assistance came from the Brighton and Hove Women’s History Group, councillor Howard Barden and Jean Calder of the Mary Clarke Statue Appeal.
The application for the Jex-Blake plaque subsequently received unanimous approval, seven years after the campaign began.
Sophia Kilburn said that the effort was very different from the abuse and legal resistance faced by women who campaigned to change medicine.
Nevertheless, she explained that Jex-Blake’s persistent work for equality and access to medical education had inspired the sisters to continue their campaign.
Izzy Kilburn said the identities selected for commemoration in cities were important.
She and her sister believed that the achievements of pioneering Brighton women, including Jex-Blake and the Edinburgh Seven, deserved proper recognition.
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh has characterised the Jex-Blake and Edinburgh Seven story as an important but neglected part of the history of equality campaigning.
Andy Winter is a former councillor with 40 years of experience in social care and homelessness services.