Rosalie Fougelberg facts for kids
Rosalie Ingeborg Karolina Fougelberg (born December 29, 1841 – died May 8, 1911) was a very important person in Swedish history. She is known as Sweden's first female dentist after the law changed to allow women into this profession. Her journey to become a dentist was not easy, but she showed great determination.
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Becoming a Dentist
Rosalie Fougelberg grew up around dentistry. Her father was the dentist for the Royal Court of Sweden, which meant he took care of the teeth of the royal family. Rosalie worked as her father's assistant, learning a lot about the profession from a young age.
A New Law for Women
Before 1861, women were not allowed to officially become dentists in Sweden. But in 1861, the law changed! This was a big step forward, opening up new opportunities for women like Rosalie.
The Road to Certification
Even with the new law, getting a dentist's certificate was still a challenge for Rosalie.
- She tried to pass the examination twice, but she was not fully approved.
- The second time, the medical experts said she was good enough, but the person representing the dentistry profession disagreed.
A Royal Decision
Rosalie didn't give up. She tried for a third time in 1866. This time, the examination was watched by the press, meaning newspapers and reporters were there. Even then, the official medical board, called the Collegium Medicum, still turned her down.
However, King Charles XV of Sweden heard about her situation. He decided to give her a special royal permission, known as a royal dispensation. This meant that even though the board said no, the King said yes! Thanks to this, Rosalie Fougelberg officially became the first woman dentist in Sweden after the law was changed.
Before Rosalie
It's important to know that another woman, Amalia Assur, had received a special permission to practice dentistry before Rosalie. But Amalia got her permission before the law officially opened the profession to all women. So, Rosalie was the first to become a dentist under the new law.
Rosalie's Career and Later Life
Rosalie Fougelberg had a successful career as a dentist.
- From 1867 to 1871, she was the personal dentist for the Queen, Louise of the Netherlands.
- She worked in Stockholm from 1867 to 1879.
- Later, she practiced dentistry in Västergötland from 1883 to 1893.
After her career, Rosalie married a sea captain and missionary named Torell. She then moved with him to Alexandria in Egypt. Rosalie Fougelberg passed away in 1911, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer for women in the dental profession.
