Zakrzewska (Marie) is born in Berlin, Germany.

The daughter of a Polish army officer and a midwife, Marie Zakrzewska becomes a midwife herself, emigrates to the U.S., studies medicine at Western Reserve College in Ohio, moves to New York City, and, with doctors Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell, founds the New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1857. She comes to Boston in 1859 to serve as professor of obstetrics at the New England Female Medical College, helps found the New England Hospital for Women and Children 1862, and moves to 6 Peter Parley Road in 1890. Zakrzewska dies in Jamaica Plain in 1902.