Dr. Anna Eliza (Woodfield) Page (1868-1936) was born in Louisville on September 6, 1868, to Joseph and Theresa (Lewis) Woodfield. She was the youngest of three children. Her father was a taxi driver and her mother was a homemaker. At the time of 1880 Census, Anna was 22 years old and living on Square Street, between 17th and 18th streets, with her family. On July 25, 1883, she married Dabney Page, a painter. Not much is known about the couple’s married years together, and our research indicates they did not have any children. At the time of the 1900 Census, Anna was the head of the house, attending medical school. She was living with her mom; her sister Jennie Coates, who was a music teacher; and a boarder Lizzie Curtis. They were living at 1307 Magazine Street in the Russell Neighborhood. Anna graduated from the Louisville National Medical College in 1902. Dr. Henry Fitzbutler chartered the medical school in 1888 to provide opportunities to African Americans seeking to become doctors as colleges at the time were segregated.
From 1906 thru 1912, Dr. Anna Page was noted in several “Courier-Journal” articles as serving the King’s Daughters and Sons, a charitable organization, by going to the houses of the “needy sick.” In 1906 alone, she made 743 home visits. She also provided support to the organization’s annual Tag Day where boxes of supplies were distributed to those in need. On July 29, 1914, Dabney died of tuberculosis at 53. He is buried in Section Colored B, Lot 39 of Eastern Cemetery. His grave is unmarked. By 1916, Dr. Page and her sister Jennie were living at 717 S. 15th Street in California Neighborhood. This was their home and medical office. According to “Two Centuries of Black Louisville,” “In later years, Dr. Annie E. Page was the only black female physician practicing in Louisville, a distinction she held until her death in 1936.” On July 15, 1936, Dr. Anna Page died of heart disease at the age of 67. She was buried in Section 3AD, Lot 37 of Eastern Cemetery. Her grave is unmarked. Drawing of Louisville National Medical College is from Kentucky Historic Institutions.
