Original Dichter's Pharmacy in Washington Heights NY

In 1926, the original Dichter’s Pharmacy stood at 576 West 207th Street, a hub for prescriptions, soda, and community connection. Just a few years earlier, Maria Pichardo—an immigrant, Columbia University pharmacy graduate, and head of her household after her father’s passing—had defied the era’s expectations for women. Her achievement not only marked a personal triumph but also paved the way for professional success and support for her mother and siblings in their new home.

Drawn from the research of CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Research Associate Vivian Guerrero Aquino, this story is part of the Institute’s Ellis Island Project, which chronicles the arrival of Dominican immigrants and preserves their personal histories.

mab