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María Josefa de los Reyes Cerrato Rodríguez
María Josefa de los Reyes Cerrato Rodríguez.png
Born 6 January 1897
Died 30 April 1981
Nationality Spanish
Occupation vet
Children three

María Josefa de los Reyes Cerrato Rodríguez (born January 6, 1897 – died April 30, 1981) was a very important Spanish woman. She made history by becoming the first woman in Spain to work as a veterinarian. This was a big achievement because, at that time, it was very unusual for women to study and work in such a field.

Early Life and Education

María Josefa was born in a town called Arroyo de San Serván in 1897. Her parents were Maximialiano González and Nazaria Morilla. Her family had a long history of working with animals. Many people in her family were veterinarians.

However, when her father decided to retire, there would be no one left in the family to continue this important work. This was a problem because, back then, women were not usually allowed to enroll in veterinary courses. María Josefa really wanted to follow in her family's footsteps. She had to ask for special permission to be able to study.

Breaking Barriers in Veterinary Medicine

María Josefa was determined to become a vet. She studied very hard. She even studied pharmacy in addition to her veterinary degree. In 1925, she successfully earned her degree. This was a huge step forward for women in Spain.

She was not the first Spanish woman to start studying to become a vet. However, she was the first one to finish all the training. She was also the first to officially qualify and become a practicing veterinarian. Her dedication opened doors for other women who wanted to work in fields usually dominated by men.

Family Life and Later Years

After becoming a veterinarian, María Josefa married Ignacio Barrientos. They had three daughters together. Their family lived in the city of León.

María Josefa de los Reyes Cerrato Rodríguez passed away in 1981. She died in Calamonte, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer for women in science and medicine in Spain. Her story shows how determination can help break down barriers and achieve great things.

See also

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