An Post has issued a special commemorative stamp honouring Dr Emily Winifred Dickson, the first woman to become a Fellow of RCSI.

Dr Dickson is one of four women recognised in the new 'Women Medics' stamp series, released by An Post to mark International Women’s Day and to celebrate the contribution of women to medicine in Ireland.

The collection also features Dr Kathleen Lynn, co-founder of St Ultan’s Infant Hospital; Professor Rhona Mahony, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and the first woman Master of the National Maternity Hospital; and Professor Janice Walshe, consultant medical oncologist and national principal investigator for international breast cancer trials.

The stamps, unveiled by Debbie Byrne, Managing Director of An Post Retail, were designed by Oonagh Young of Design HQ. Each features a black-and-white portrait of the medic alongside imagery reflecting her field of expertise, set against colours inspired by surgical scrubs.

Welcoming the recognition, RCSI President Professor Deborah McNamara said: “The story of Dr Emily Dickson continues to inspire our staff, students and the next generation of healthcare leaders. This commemorative stamp is a welcome recognition of Dr Dickson’s legacy as a pioneer in Irish medicine, alongside the other inspiring women featured in this collection. Their achievements demonstrate the determination and commitment required to advance healthcare and to open doors for those who follow.”

Born in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, Dr Dickson enrolled at RCSI in 1887 at the age of 21, where she was the only female student. An extremely bright student, Dickson won several prestigious medals. In 1893 she achieved a Fellowship at RCSI, becoming the first woman to reach this milestone and marking a landmark moment in Irish medical history.

Despite receiving a scholarship to pursue further training abroad, Dr Dickson encountered barriers when clinics in Vienna and Berlin refused to admit her. She returned to Dublin and secured a four-year appointment as a gynaecologist with the Richmond, Whitworth and Hardwicke Hospital group. Alongside her clinical practice, she continued her academic development, completing both a master’s degree and a doctorate before later serving as an examiner in midwifery at RCSI.

Dr Dickson was also an advocate for women in medicine and frequently spoke on issues relating to women’s health and women’s roles in the medical profession.

Her legacy has been recognised in a number of ways in recent years, including through the Women on Walls initiative at RCSI, which seeks to increase the visibility of women who made significant contributions to medicine and healthcare in Ireland. As part of the project, a portrait of Dr Dickson by artist Mick O’Dea was commissioned and unveiled at RCSI.

The Women Medics stamp collection is available from selected post offices and online through the An Post shop. The stamps are issued in the ‘N’ rate for postage within the island of Ireland and the ‘E’ rate for postage to the UK and Europe.