Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle: Orange County’s First Woman Physician
- luxadaisyinfo
- Sep 15, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 15, 2025
In the late 1800s, when few women were allowed to practice medicine, Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle broke barriers in Orange County and built a legacy of service that still shines today. Her story is especially inspiring because she answered her calling later in life, defying expectations and proving it’s never too late to begin.
Born in 1854, Willella grew up in a time when women were rarely allowed a professional identity beyond wife and mother. She married physician Dr. Alvin Howe, and together they moved to Orange County in 1878, settling in Westminster. That same year, Willella gave birth to her first daughter at age 24. A second daughter followed in 1881, when she was 27.
While raising her young family, Willella worked as a teacher at Bolsa School in Santa Ana to help support her household and save money for her own education. Determined to follow her dream of practicing medicine, she enrolled at Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago. With courage and grit, she even took her baby daughter with her while she studied. In 1886, at the age of 32, she graduated and returned to Santa Ana to begin her practice.
Her early years as a physician were not easy. Many doubted that a woman belonged in medicine, and she faced prejudice from colleagues and community members alike. Reflecting on those struggles, she later said: “Some of those who fought me hardest have become my best friends.” The work itself was also demanding. She often traveled by horse-drawn carriage over unpaved, muddy roads, braving winter floods and long distances to care for patients in their homes.
By 1889, Willella and Alvin had completed their ornate Victorian home in Santa Ana, where she lived with her two daughters. The house became a symbol of her growing practice and is preserved today as the Howe-Waffle House & Medical Museum. But her family life shifted dramatically. Alvin was involved in a scandal that drove him from Santa Ana. In 1897, Willella divorced him.
She later married Edson Waffle, a rancher and stable owner, and together they raised a blended family of five children, her two daughters and his three. Despite the demands of family life, Willella’s practice thrived. Over 38 years, she delivered more than 1,000 babies and became known for her steady presence, skill, and compassion. She also had a love for animals, maintaining an aviary in her yard and keeping a parrot that was said to sing hymns learned from church services.
Willella remained active in her practice and community until the very end. In 1924, she passed away at the age of 70, fittingly at the bedside of a patient she was caring for.
At LuxaDaisy, we celebrate women who shine through resilience, courage, and service. Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle embodies all three. She raised children, endured personal and professional challenges, and launched a career in medicine at a time when few women were allowed to do so. She persevered, not only building a thriving practice but also shaping the health and history of her community.
We chose her because her legacy reflects the values we honor today: that women can reinvent themselves at any stage of life, that service is a form of leadership, and that courage can outlast the barriers of any era.
Inspiration for Today
Dr. Howe-Waffle’s story is more than history , it is an invitation to possibility. She reminds us that it’s never too late to pursue a dream, never too late to make an impact, and never too late to choose a path of purpose. Whether starting fresh, balancing family and career, or stepping into a new chapter, her life proves that when we lead with heart, we leave a legacy that shines.
Her journey continues to inspire us to ask: Where can we shine brighter? Where can we bring more compassion? And how can we open doors for those who come after us?
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