Owston, Wyn

Born as Ethel Sharrard in Lincoln, England; deafened by meningitis at age of 18 months. Went to public schools and won entrance to Sheffield University. Although authorities opposed her admission due to her deafness, she met their "impossible" requirements and graduated with a medical degree in 1943. After several years as a physician and surgeon in hospitals, earning an obstetrics degree along the way, she took up family planning work and remained in that until retirement in 1984.