Background
She married David Ross, a Scotsman, who was engaged in railway construction with her father.
She married David Ross, a Scotsman, who was engaged in railway construction with her father.
Encouraged by her husband, she entered the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and over a ten-year period completed her course in 1875.
During that time she also had four children. Her husband remained in Montreal while she practised medicine there. Learning of her medical qualifications, the people of the district persuaded her to practise, but because Whitemouth was in disputed territory between Manitoba and Ontario it was necessary to pass national legislation enabling her to do southern
lieutenant was never approved.
Charlotte continued to practise for many years, however, even though she was never formally licensed by the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons. The needs of the people outweighed the restrictive rules of the government.
She moved to Winnipeg in 1916 and died at her home, 144 Lenore Street, on 21 February 1916 and was buried in Brookside Cemetery. The Charlotte West. Ross Gold Medal for highest honours in obstetrics is given annually in the Manitoba Medical College.
Among her descendants practicing medicine were Doctor Edith Ross (Winnipeg) and Doctor Joseph Donovan Ross (Edmonton), and her great-great granddaughter Val Meredith served as a Member of Parliament.