This story is one in a series about the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) contributions to U.S. history as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday this year. The stories will be featured on The Elm website and The Elm Weekly in newsletter in the coming months. The series can be read at the UMB Celebrates America at 250 website.

As the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) reflects on the people whose achievements helped shape the United States’ progress in health and human services, Dr. Bessie Olive Cole is among the trailblazers who stand out. As an educator, pharmacist, and leader, Cole helped redefine what was possible for women in higher education and the health professions.

At a time when opportunities for women in pharmacy and science were limited, Cole forged a remarkable path through the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), becoming part of a generation that challenged traditional expectations and expanded the role of women in professional life.

She earned a doctorate of pharmacy in 1913, becoming one of UMSOP’s first female graduates, and began working at the school in 1920 as secretary of the faculty, a role she held for more than 20 years. In 1948, she made more history as the first woman in the United States to hold a full professorship at any school of pharmacy. She was named acting dean in 1948, serving in the role until 1949.

At a time when women held few leadership positions in higher education, Cole’s appointment demonstrated that expertise, scholarship, and dedication could overcome longstanding barriers. Her leadership helped establish a precedent that would encourage future generations of women to pursue careers as educators, researchers, clinicians, and administrators.

These milestones represented more than personal accomplishments, they also were landmark moments for pharmacy education and women seeking careers in academia and the sciences. And Cole did not just excel in one field, she also studied law and was among the first women to earn a law degree at University of Maryland School of Law.

In the decades to come, Cole dedicated herself to teaching, scholarship, and service, building a reputation as an outstanding educator and mentor and earning the moniker “The First Lady of Maryland Pharmacy.”

Challenging Norms, Expanding Opportunities

Her work coincided with a transformative period in American history. In the early 20th century, significant advances were made in public health, scientific discovery, and pharmaceutical education, improving the lives of millions of Americans. Through her leadership in pharmacy education, Cole contributed to preparing health professionals who would support these advances.

Bessie Olive Cole, shown in an undated photo, earned degrees from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and the School of Law.

Cole’s achievements unfolded during a pivotal era in U.S. history. After World War II, universities across the country were expanding their educational missions and preparing a new generation of professionals to meet the nation’s evolving needs. Yet leadership roles remained overwhelmingly dominated by men. By rising to the highest ranks of academic pharmacy, Cole challenged those norms and helped broaden opportunities for those who followed.

Today, women make up about 68 percent of pharmacy students nationwide and serve as leaders throughout the profession, including 11 in leadership roles at UMSOP — the dean, nine associate or assistant deans, and one department chair.

While that progress reflects the contributions of many individuals, pioneers like Cole helped lay the foundation. Her career serves as a reminder that meaningful change often begins with individuals willing to challenge assumptions and open doors for others.

Influence Still Felt Today

Founded in 1841 as the fourth-oldest school of pharmacy in the nation, UMSOP has a long history of advancing pharmaceutical education and innovation. Cole’s story is an important chapter in that legacy. Her accomplishments reflect both the school’s commitment to excellence and the broader American ideals of opportunity, perseverance, and progress.

Cole stands as an enduring example of how one person’s determination can help reshape a profession. It has been more than a century since Cole earned her degree, but her influence resonates through the countless students, educators, and health care professionals who have benefited from the paths she helped create.

Her story reminds us that the American story is not only one of institutions and events, but also of individuals whose courage and vision expand what is possible for future generations.