Carmina Virgili facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carmina Virgili
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in 2013
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| Born | 19 June 1927 |
| Died | 21 November 2014 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
Carmina Virgili (born 19 June 1927 – died 21 November 2014) was an important Spanish scientist and politician. She was a professor who studied geology, which is the science of Earth's rocks and soil. She also worked in government.
Early Life and Education
Carmina Virgili was born in Barcelona, Spain, on June 19, 1927. She was the younger of two children. Her mother was a pharmacist and sometimes taught at an agriculture school. During the Spanish Civil War, Carmina and her family lived in Igualada, a town near Barcelona.
Carmina went to the University of Barcelona. There, she met Salvador Llovet, a geographer who became her mentor. A mentor is someone who guides and teaches you. Carmina was a very dedicated student. Her family strongly supported her studies.
In 1949, she earned an honors degree in Natural Science. After graduating, she started teaching in schools in the Vallès area of Catalonia. While teaching, she helped write a science textbook for beginners. This book was very popular and was printed many times.
Becoming a Geologist
In August 1953, the University of Barcelona created a new degree just for geology. Before this, geology was part of Natural Sciences. Carmina joined this new geology department.
She continued her studies and earned her doctorate in geology in 1956. A doctorate is the highest university degree. In 1963, she made history by becoming the first woman professor at the University of Oviedo. She was also only the third woman in all of Spain to become a full professor. Later, in 1977, she became the first woman Dean at the university. A Dean is a senior leader in a university.
Work in Politics
Carmina Virgili also served in the Spanish government. From 1982 to 1985, she was a Junior Minister for Universities and Research. This means she helped manage universities and scientific studies for the country.
Later, from 1996 to 2000, she was a senator for the Socialists' Party of Catalonia. As a senator, she worked on important committees. These included groups that looked at risks and relationships with countries in Latin America.
Achievements and Later Life
Carmina Virgili received many awards for her work. In 2008, she was given an honorary doctorate from the University of Genoa in Italy. This is a special award given to people who have done great things.
She wrote more than 100 scientific papers and books. She also received many other honors. In 2011, the University of Barcelona gave her a Gold Medal. She also became an emeritus professor at the Universidad Complutense. An emeritus professor is a retired professor who keeps their title because of their important work.
Carmina Virgili passed away in Barcelona on November 21, 2014. She dedicated her life to science and education.
