THE FIRST WOMEN PHYSICIANS IN THE HISTORY OF MODERN GREEK MEDICINE: MARIA KALAPOTHAKI (1859-1941) AND AGGELIKI PANAGIOTATOU (1878-1954)

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.17.1.3

In an era when medicine in Greece was dominated by men, at the end of the 19^th and during the first decades of 20^th century, two women, Maria Kalapothaki (1859-1941) and Aggeliki Panagiotatou (1878-1954), managed to stand out and contribute to the evolution of Medicine. Maria Kalapothaki received medical education in Paris and then she returned to Greece. Not only did she contribute to many fields of Medicine, but also exercised charity and even undertook the task of treating war victims on many occasions. Aggeliki Panagiotatou studied Medicine at the University of Athens and then moved to Alexandria in Egypt, where she specialized in Tropical Medicine and also engaged in literature. Panagiotatou became the first female professor of the Medical School of Athens and the first female member of the Academy of Athens.  In recognition of their contributions, Kalapothaki and Panagiotatou received medals and honors for both their scientific work and social engagement.