Adelaide Cabete facts for kids
Adelaide Cabete (born January 25, 1867, died September 14, 1935) was an important Portuguese woman. She was a doctor, a feminist, and a republican. This means she believed in equal rights for women and supported a government led by elected officials, not a king or queen.
In 1909, she helped start the Republican League of Portuguese Women. This group worked to end the monarchy and gain more rights for women. Later, she founded the Conselho Nacional das Mulheres Portuguesas (National Council of Portuguese Women). She led this group from 1914 until her death in 1935.
Early Life and Education
Adelaide de Jesus Damas Brazão Cabete was born on January 25, 1867. Her family lived in Alcáçova, a small place near Elvas in Portugal. Her parents were farm workers.
When Adelaide was young, her father passed away. To help her mother, she did not go to primary school. But she was very determined and learned to read and write on her own.
At 18, she married Manuel Ramos Fernandes Cabete. He encouraged her to continue her studies. At 22, Adelaide passed her primary education exam. In 1894, she finished high school with excellent grades.
In 1895, Adelaide and her husband moved to Lisbon. The next year, she started studying at the Medical-Surgical School of Lisbon. She finished her medical degree in 1900. Her final paper suggested that new mothers should get time off work. This idea was very advanced for her time.
Adelaide Cabete was only the third woman in Portugal to become a doctor. She opened her own practice in Lisbon, focusing on women's health. She strongly supported creating maternity hospitals in Portugal. Thanks to her efforts, Portugal's first maternity hospital opened in 1932.
Fighting for Women's Rights
In 1907, Adelaide Cabete joined a group called the Grand Orient of Portugal Lodge. In 1909, she became a founder of the Republican League of Portuguese Women. She started this group with other women like Ana de Castro Osório and Carolina Beatriz Ângelo.
This group wanted to end the rule of the king and queen in Portugal. They also fought for women to have more rights, including the right to vote. Adelaide was very active in the movement that led to the change in government on October 5, 1910. This event ended the monarchy and created a republic.
After the government changed, Adelaide worked hard to create several women's organizations. The most important was the Conselho Nacional das Mulheres Portuguesas (National Council of Portuguese Women). She was the president of this council from 1914 until her death in 1935.
From 1920 to 1929, she also edited the council's magazine, Alma feminina (Feminine Soul). She helped organize the first two feminist meetings in Portugal, in 1924 and 1928.
Adelaide wrote many articles, mostly about medicine and social issues. She wrote about the importance of childcare and women's health. She also wrote feminist articles. She spoke out against bullfighting and against children playing with war toys. At the 1924 feminist meeting, she talked about how married women owned property. Her ideas were very forward-thinking for her time.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1929, Adelaide Cabete felt disappointed with the new government in Portugal, which was becoming very strict. She decided to move to Portuguese Angola with her nephew. There, she worked to protect the rights of local people and provided medical care.
In 1934, she had an accident and was injured. She decided to return to Lisbon. Her health was not good, and she later fell and broke her leg. Adelaide Cabete passed away in Lisbon on September 14, 1935. She is remembered as a brave and important leader who fought for women's rights and better healthcare in Portugal.
See also
In Spanish: Adelaide Cabete para niños
