Marie Durocher facts for kids
Marie Josefina Mathilde Durocher (born January 6, 1809 – died December 25, 1893) was a pioneering Brazilian doctor. She was a specialist in helping women give birth, known as an obstetrician and midwife. Marie Durocher made history as the first female doctor in all of Latin America.
Marie Durocher: A Pioneer Doctor
Early Life and Education
Marie Durocher was born in Paris, France. Her parents were French immigrants. When she was eight years old, her family moved to Brazil.
Sadly, Marie became a widow when she was young. She had two children to care for. In 1834, she achieved something remarkable. She was the very first person to earn a medical degree from the new Medical School of Rio de Janeiro. This was a huge step for women in medicine.
A Doctor Like No Other
Marie Durocher worked as a doctor for sixty years. She was known for her unique choice of clothing. She wore men's clothes because she found them much more practical for her work than the women's styles of that time.
She even became the midwife for the grandchildren of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil. This shows how respected and trusted she was. In 1871, Marie Durocher became the first woman to join the Academia Nacional de Medicina. This is a very important medical academy. For 50 years, she was the only woman in the Academy, proving her incredible dedication and skill.
