Gabriele Possanner facts for kids
Gabriele Possanner (born January 27, 1860 – died March 14, 1940) was a very important woman in Austrian history. She was the first female doctor to officially work in Austria. This was a big achievement because, at that time, it was very unusual for women to become doctors.
Contents
Gabriele Possanner's Early Life and Career
Gabriele Possanner was born in 1860. Her father, Benjamin Possanner, was a jurist, which means he worked with laws. Because of his job, her family moved often. Gabriele lived in six different cities before she turned 20 years old. In 1880, her father got a new job in Vienna, and the family finally settled there.
Becoming a Doctor
Gabriele wanted to become a doctor, but it was very hard for women to study medicine in Austria back then. So, she went to the University of Zurich in Switzerland to study. She earned her medical degree there in 1894.
After getting her degree, Gabriele faced another challenge. She needed to pass an exam in Austria to be allowed to practice medicine there. In 1897, she took a special oral exam, called a viva voce, in Vienna. She passed, becoming the first woman to get a medical degree from the University of Vienna. This meant she could finally work as a doctor in her home country.
Working as a Doctor
One of Gabriele's first jobs was in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She worked as a public medical officer there. This was important because many Muslim women in that region preferred to see a female doctor. They felt more comfortable with a woman for cultural reasons.
For a few years, Gabriele Possanner was the only female doctor working in an Austrian-Hungarian hospital. She continued to work hard and paved the way for many other women who wanted to become doctors.
Gabriele Possanner's Legacy and Awards
Gabriele Possanner passed away on March 14, 1940. She left behind an important legacy. Her courage and determination opened doors for women in medicine in Austria.
Remembering Gabriele Possanner
People in Austria have honored Gabriele Possanner in several ways:
- In 1960, a street in Hietzing, a district in Vienna, was named Possannergasse after her.
- In 2004, a park in Vienna, in the 9th district, was named Gabriele-Possanner-Park.
- There is also an organization called the Gabriele Possanner Institute for Interdisciplinary Research.
The Gabriele Possanner State Prize
A special award called the Gabriele Possanner State Prize was created in her honor in 1997. This prize is given by the Federal Ministry of Science and Research in Austria every two years. It celebrates important research about women and gender equality. It shows how much Gabriele Possanner's pioneering spirit is still valued today.
See also
In Spanish: Gabriele Possanner para niños
