Elisa Soriano Fisher facts for kids

Elisa Soriano Fisher (born October 22, 1891, in Madrid – died December 3, 1964, in Madrid) was an important Spanish teacher and eye doctor (ophthalmologist). She started the National Association of Spanish Women (ANME) and led the Female University Youth (JUF) group. Elisa is seen as a key person in the fight for women's right to vote and for women's equality in the 1920s and 1930s, before the Spanish Civil War began.

A Look at Her Life

Her Early Years

Dr.ª Elisa Soriano Fischer in 1919.

Elisa Soriano was born in Madrid, Spain, on October 22, 1891. Her mother, Enriqueta Fisher, passed away when Elisa was very young. Her father, José Soriano Surroca, was a well-known doctor who specialized in women's health. Elisa grew up during a time of big changes in Spain. The country saw different types of government, including a monarchy, a dictatorship, and a republic.

Elisa went to school in Madrid until she was 13. She then continued her studies and, in 1912, earned a high-level teaching degree with excellent marks. She also became involved in health and social committees in Madrid.

In 1914, women were finally allowed to attend university in Spain. Elisa was one of the first women to enroll in Medicine. At that time, many women who studied medicine also taught, as it was easier to find a job. Elisa was the only woman in her class, but she had support from the dean of Medicine. She chose to specialize in ophthalmology, which is the study of eye diseases.

Elisa worked as a medical inspector's assistant in Madrid. She was also the first woman to ask to be a student assistant at a charity in Madrid. In 1918, she earned her medical degree from the Complutense University of Madrid. A year later, she completed her PhD with a paper about eye tumors.

Her Work as a Doctor

Elisa Soriano had two main jobs. She worked as an eye doctor in public hospitals and in her own private office. She also taught Hygiene, Physiology, and Anatomy at a teaching school. After finishing her studies, Dr. Soriano spoke at many medical conferences.

One important contribution was at a big international conference. There, she spoke about the International Red Cross during times of peace and war. In 1921, Dr. Fisher became the first Spanish woman to hold an official job at a hospital. This was a huge achievement! Many groups, including the ANME and JUF, celebrated her success. Even a feminist magazine called "Redención" wrote about her, saying how proud the JUF was of their president.

Being a doctor was very important to Elisa. She wanted to help people and be independent. A writer named Luis Ortega Morejón wrote about her, saying she was the first woman to be featured in his medical journal. He praised her intelligence and energy. He also mentioned that she had been offered a professor position at a hospital but left because of the "male chauvinism" (unfair treatment by men) of that time.

In 1927, Elisa Soriano was named president of the Medical Women International Association (MWIA) by a famous doctor and feminist, Kate Campbell Hurd-Mead. Elisa also passed exams to work as a doctor for the Spanish Civil Navy. She became the first woman to work as a medical officer on ships traveling to South America. After the Spanish Civil War, Elisa continued to work as a professor and an eye doctor for children. She also actively promoted literary and cultural events. In 1962, two years before she passed away, she received a special medal from the City of Madrid.

Fighting for Women's Rights

Elisa Soriano spent her life fighting for women's freedom and modern rights. She believed that women were capable and independent, especially if they had a good education. She wanted women to understand that they were not the "weak sex" and did not have to depend on men.

After World War I ended, the fight for women's rights grew stronger. In late 1918, the National Association of Spanish Women (ANME) was created, and Elisa was a member. This group wanted women to have the right to education and to work with equal pay. They also wanted to protect women's rights and support their ideas.

The ANME's ideas were seen as "center feminist." The magazine "Redención" was the first to mention the Female University Youth (JUF). Elisa believed that universities should support women's feminist actions. Two years later, Elisa was chosen as a permanent member of the ANME's new leadership team.

From the 1920s, Elisa was part of many feminist groups. She was a very important person in Madrid, inspiring many women in the Spanish feminist movement. She was a strong supporter of gender equality. Besides being in the ANME, Elisa founded the JUF. This group aimed to connect women from different backgrounds, whether they supported a republic, a monarchy, or were Catholic.

Because of her work, Soriano became a member of the Supreme Feminist Council of Spain in 1919. This group brought together several women's rights associations. The JUF's rules were published in "Redención" magazine. Their main goal was for women who studied at university to get the same jobs as men if they were smart enough.

Elisa's constant fight for equality led her to Geneva in June 1920. She was the Spanish delegate for the University Youth of Madrid at a conference about women's right to vote. This conference was a big step for women's suffrage. Elisa was seen as a leader in Spanish feminism, so it was natural for her to be there.

In a speech, Elisa said she was ready for any professional work, whether it was usually done by men or women. She talked about protecting women who were studying at university, often by giving them money. She also spoke about the importance of peace and cooperation, not anger or fighting. She believed that every group should help young people grow. In February 1921, Dr. Fisher worked on changing laws related to women and children.

The JUF and Elisa became very well known. In October 1921, she even had a meeting with the king. That same month, Soriano went to an international student conference in France as an official delegate. When she returned, she visited Barcelona and gave a speech about the Feminist University Youth.

At the end of that year, Elisa Soriano hosted an awards ceremony at the Central University. She highlighted the work of the ANME, especially María Espinosa de los Monteros, who helped create the awards. Soriano encouraged young people to work together in science. Eleven years later, she hosted another ceremony where the Dr. Elisa Soriano International Scholarship was given out.

In 1922, the JUF continued its projects. A professor named Odón de Buen gave a talk about "Women in the University." He spoke about how quickly women were entering many areas of life, especially culture. He called the first women who bravely broke old traditions "heroines." Elisa Soriano also helped organize a contest to encourage the study of university women's work.

Even though the JUF's activities slowed down, Elisa Soriano's popularity grew. In 1924, she was the first woman interviewed in a series about women fighting for the right to vote.

In 1926, Elisa spoke at the first meeting of Spanish women in Madrid. A year later, she was chosen to represent Spain at a conference in Italy. The JUF was very active that year, creating a scholarship for students in the International Federation of Women University. Elisa Soriano was the president of the Federation's commission in Spain.

In 1928, Elisa Soriano left the JUF because she was appointed as a doctor in the Spanish Civil Navy. However, in the same year, she and some friends founded the Association of Spanish Doctors (AME). This group was connected to a worldwide movement of women doctors. The AME and the international group aimed to support women doctors and improve the health of women and children. The association paused during the Spanish Civil War but started again in 1965.

Her Impact on Others

Elisa Soriano inspired many people. Her niece, Alicia Margareto Soriano, said that Elisa "fought despite of men." Pictures show Elisa with famous people like Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and other important women like María Espinosa de los Monteros.

She was also close friends with lawyer Margarita Nelken. Elisa supported Nelken after reading an article she wrote about abandoned children.

Two other friends were Clara Campoamor and Julia Peguero. They remained friends even during Francoist Spain. Campoamor looked up to Dr. Soriano, even though she was a few years older. Both were part of groups fighting against slavery and for political change. When Clara Campoamor secretly returned to Spain, she often stayed at Elisa's house. Peguero also admired Elisa, and they were close until Elisa's death. Before the war, they both worked as advisors for the government on health and public assistance. Elisa kept all of Julia's books and personal photos in her library. Today, these books are in the library of the Complutense University of Madrid.

Her Written Works

Elisa Soriano wrote many articles throughout her life. She often wrote for publications like "La Medicina Social Española" and "El Siglo Médico." Her writings usually focused on education, health, eye diseases, and women's rights. Some of her important publications include:

• "The Spanish woman and the current events"
• "The Children's House"
• "Hygiene and Women"
• "From Guadarrama"
• "Spanish Women"
• "The trachoma in Vallehermoso" (about an eye disease)
• "Economical Protection to Women"
• "Hygiene and Style"

See also

In Spanish: Elisa Soriano Fisher para niños