Rosina Heikel
Emma Rosina Heikel (17 March 1842 – 13 December 1929) was a Finnish medical doctor and feminist. In 1878, she became the first female physician in Finland, and specialised in
Early life and education
Heikel was born in
In 1870, Heikel was allowed to attend physiology lectures at the University of Helsinki, and in 1871 she was given special permission to study medicine at the university.[4] She received her medical degree in 1878, becoming the first woman physician in Finland,[2] as well as the first in the Nordic countries.[3]
Career
Medicine
Heikel was granted a limited license to practice, which allowed her to treat only women and children.
Activism
Outside of medical practice, Heikel was an active proponent of the women's rights movement and the feminist association Naisasialiitto Unioni.[2] An advocate of women's education, she helped to found Konkordia-liitto, an organisation for female academics.[4] In 1888, Heikel spoke at a meeting of the Finnish Medical Society against legalised prostitution, and in 1892 she addressed the Naisasialiitto Unioni to promote equality in educational opportunities for girls and boys.[1] She managed a children's workhouse and was an advocate for children's health in rural Finland.[3]
Death
Heikel died on 13 December 1929 in Helsinki, with no surviving family.[1] She is buried in the Hietaniemi Cemetery in Helsinki.[5]
References
- ^ Saunalahti. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ ISBN 9781576073926.
- ^ a b c "100 Years of Women's Voices and Action in Finland" (PDF) (Press release). National Council of Women of Finland. 2007. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Rosina Heikel: first woman doctor in Finland". Women of Learning. Helsinki.fi. 2000. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ "Hietaniemen hautausmaa – merkittäviä vainajia" (PDF). Helsingin seurakuntayhtymä. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
Further reading
- Heikel, 2. Emma Rosina i Nordisk familjebok (andra upplagan, 1909)
- Westermarck, Helena: Finlands första kvinnliga läkare Rosina Heikel. Helsinki 1930.