Over the years, many women They transformed the history of health through studies, research and dedication to human care. Since the pioneering of Florence Nightingalewhich revolutionized the history of nursing and hospital organization in the 19th century, until scientists such as Marie Curiewhich opened fundamental paths for the treatment of cancer.
The female presence was definitely decisive for advances that saved – and continue to save – millions of lives and continues to contribute to the growth of the presence of women in healthcare.
A study released by (DMB), last year, found that women represent 50.9% of doctors in Brazil. For the first time, female doctors are the majority among professionals.
The research reinforces that the legacy of these scholars continues to bear fruit, impacting generations and boosting . Discover the stories of some of these women who contributed to the health we know today.
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)
Born in Florence, Italy, on May 12, 1820, Florence was an English nurse, considered the founder of modern nursing and responsible for opening the first nursing school at Saint Thomas Hospital, in London.
She was responsible for transforming the practice into a respected profession. His work stood out especially during the Crimean War (1854) for applying hygiene and statistics, which drastically reduced deaths. She stood out in humanized treatment and the implementation of sanitary and infection control measures, laying the foundations for contemporary nursing.
Cecilia Grierson (1859-1934)
In 1889, she was recognized as the first woman to graduate in medicine in Argentina and also in South America. Cecilia faced prejudice when entering the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Buenos Aires and managed to graduate as a doctor despite being initially rejected because she was a woman.
She founded Argentina’s first nursing school, fought for women’s rights and revolutionized local medicine with first aid and obstetrics practices. In addition, he founded the National Obstetric Association of Midwives, the Argentine First Aid Society and the Argentine Medical Association.
Marie Curie (1867-1934)
Polish scientist who became a naturalized French citizen and became one of the greatest references in the history of science. Alongside physicist Pierre Curie, he carried out pioneering research on radioactivity and discovered how to isolate chemical elements, such as radium and polonium. It was his work that opened the door to the use of radiation to treat diseases, especially cancer.
In 1903, she became the first woman to receive the In 1911, she won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which made her the only person to win this prize in two distinct scientific areas. She was also the first woman to teach at the University of Paris, paving the way for other researchers.
Zilda Arns (1934-2010)
Born in Forquilhinha, in Santa Catarina, she was a pediatrician and public health doctor, founder and international coordinator of Pastoral da Criança. He chose medicine as his mission and embarked on the path of . The doctor gained prominence for fighting for children’s rights and health in Brazil.
At the beginning of the 1980s, Zilda had an initiative that would mark the history of public health in Brazil. On that occasion, it structured a solidarity network dedicated to reducing child mortality and combating malnutrition. She trained thousands of volunteers to work directly in the most vulnerable communities. Zilda’s legacy is marked by the promotion of dignity in the most needy regions of the country.
Patricia Bath (1945-2019)
Born in New York, United States, she was the first female ophthalmologist to head a residency program in that country. Patricia was also the first ophthalmologist to be appointed to the faculty of the Jules Stein Ophthalmological Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. In addition to being the first woman elected to the honorary board of the UCLA Medical Center, in 1983.
The laser scientist was an innovative researcher and advocate for the prevention, treatment and cure of blindness. Among his achievements are the invention of a new device and technique for cataract surgery, known as laserphacoemulsification, and the creation of a new discipline called “community ophthalmology”.
