Historical information about Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens.
http://Dickens, Helen Octavia - Oral History interview final transcript, 1988
1. Oral History Interview Transcript: The Drexel University archives contain a final transcript of an oral history interview with Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens from 19887. This transcript is part of the Black Women Physicians Project and would likely contain Dr. Dickens' own words and perspectives on her life and career.
2. VHS Recordings: The Black Women Physicians Project also includes VHS recordings of Helen O. Dickens, MD. These video recordings would provide an opportunity to hear and see Dr. Dickens speaking about her experiences.
(2) Sources: https://Black Women Physicians Project - Philadelphia Area Archives
3.
Quoted Recollections: Several search results contain direct quotes from Dr. Dickens, which, while not full interviews, offer glimpses of her voice and thoughts:
- She described her time leading a birthing center as "very exciting," saying, "You were going into the homes. You see all these people. You were taking responsibility for the care of people"
- In discussing women's reluctance to get medical checkups, she told the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, "A lot of women are reluctant to get medical checkups that include pelvic exams"
(3) Sources: https://How One Black Doctor Brought the Pap to the People
4. Helen O. Dickens Papers: The University of Pennsylvania Archives holds the Helen O. Dickens Papers, which document the latter half of her career in medicine, medical education, and public health8. While not specifically mentioned as containing interviews, these papers may include personal writings or other materials that capture Dr. Dickens' voice.
(4) Source: https://Helen Octavia Dickens, Papers UPT 50 D548
5. American Cancer Society Van Anecdotes: Multiple sources mention Dr. Dickens driving an American Cancer Society van around Philadelphia to provide free Pap smears. While not direct interviews, these anecdotes often describe how she would invite women for "a painless, simple, five-minute procedure," giving a sense of her approach and voice in community outreach.
(5) Sources:
https://How One Doctor Brought the Pap to the People
https://The female physician who popularised the Pap smear
https://www.med.upenn.edu/evdresearch/helen-o-dickens.html
To access these materials, you would likely need to contact the following institutions:
- Drexel University College of Medicine Legacy Center
- University of Pennsylvania Archives
- American Cancer Society (for potential archival materials related to her outreach work)
While not all of these sources are direct interviews or oral histories, they collectively provide various ways to hear or read Dr. Helen Octavia Dicken's voice and perspectives on her groundbreaking work in medicine and public health.
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