Vida Annette Latham was born in England, and then moved to the United States in pursuit of becoming a dentist. She first attended the University of Michigan's dental school, and then went on to also earn a degree from Northwestern's medical school. Latham decided to earn a medical degree as she she thought that dental school should teach more than mechanical school, and also emphasize the medical aspect. Latham went on to teach at several hospitals and promoted the concept of women entering medical and dental schools.