Despite holding a medical degree, Hawks was denied a position as either an army doctor or an
army nurse. She also began to mourn her maternal instinct and inability to have children. Her frustration became devotion towards teaching and personal relationships which she formed with her students and patients. This led to Hawks opening up her own school in Odd Fellows' Hall, which was the first of its kind, as it was open for all students regardless of their race. Subsequently, she became the General Superintendent of the city schools, an administrator for the
Freedmen's Bureau, and helped run an orphanage for black children. Many times, Hawks highlighted the bare lives black children and former slaves lead with feelings of sadness and a goal to help them as much as possible. She pursued this goal by continuing to teach her black pupils, as well as providing her medical services for free to those who needed them. Hawks writes of her "scholars" as well behaving and likely to obey. She highlighted the lack of disciplinary measures and "revolts" her school leads with pride. Although she taught equally and
integrated both white and black students in the same class, not all parents agreed with her integrative methods and were opposed to her actions. A primary response to this was the withdrawal of their student. It is noted that Hawks was always saddened but accepting of everyone's ideals although she worked to integrate African Americans. After returning to
Massachusetts in 1870, Hawks partnered with Dr. Lizzie Breed Welch, who had her own practice and together they became two out of the first three female physicians in Lynn. Soon after in 1874, she opened her own medical practice and treated mostly women with
gynecological cases. During this time, she worked in various organizations including the
New England Hospital Medical Society, Boston Gynecological Society, honorary member of the New Hampshire Association of Military Surgeons, Woman's Rights/Suffrage Club, The Houghton Horticultural Society, the Lynn Historical Society, the Civic League, Lynn Medical Fraternity, Lynn Woman's Club, Lynn Woman's Club and even co-founded Lynn's Associated Charities while working to better the sanitary conditions of her community, provide further education, and promote women's rights. In 1889, Hawks was elected as a member of the Lynn School Board where she continued to serve for many years to come. Becoming ill in 1906, Hawks' condition grew progressively worse, and she eventually died in her home in
Lynn, Massachusetts on May 6, 1906. After her death, he included in her will for scholarships to be given to students in Lynn High School who wrote the best essays on the subject of peace, leaving much of her fortune to help promote the education of future generations. == References ==