Marguerite Champendal facts for kids

Marguerite Champendal (1870-1928) was a pioneering doctor from Geneva, Switzerland. She was the first woman from her city to earn a medical degree from the University of Geneva in 1900. Marguerite also started a special center to give out safe milk for babies. She also founded a well-known school for nurses.

Her Life Story

Marguerite Champendal was born on June 2, 1870. Her birthplace was Petit-Saconnex, a neighborhood in Geneva, Switzerland. She was the third child of Jacques Henri Samuel Champendal, a pastor, and Christine Elisabeth Roch.

Marguerite first worked as a teacher in Paris and Berlin. Later, she decided to study medicine in Geneva. Her family did not want her to do this. In 1900, she became the first woman from Geneva to get a medical doctorate. Her special paper for her degree was called Des varices congénitales. This means Congenital varicose veins.

Another important doctor in Geneva at that time was Henriette Saloz-Joudra. Dr. Saloz-Joudra earned her medical degree in 1883. She was the first woman to open her own doctor's office in the city.

Her Work as a Doctor

After finishing her studies, Marguerite worked as a doctor in the busy parts of Geneva. She saw many people who needed help.

Marguerite had visited Paris and learned about a project called the Drop of Milk. This project gave out safe milk to babies. In 1901, Marguerite started her own Drop of Milk center in Geneva. Here, she gave out pasteurized milk for infants. She also offered advice to young mothers. To help mothers even more, she wrote a book in 1916. It was called Little Manual for Mothers. It gave guidance to women with babies.

In 1905, Marguerite started a nursing school called Le Bon Secours. She had already spent a year and a half helping women give birth. She led the school until she passed away in 1928. People at the school remember her as a very forward-thinking woman.

From 1913 to 1919, she was a private doctor at the medical school. In 1918, Marguerite Champendal became the first woman to earn professional status at the University of Geneva. This was a big achievement for women in medicine.

Her Later Life

Dr. Champendal passed away on October 25, 1928, in Geneva. She was 58 years old. Her death was caused by a heart attack.

How She is Remembered

In Geneva, a street is named after her. It is called Chemin Doctoresse Champendal. This honors her important work.

See also

In Spanish: Marguerite Champendal para niños