Ernestina Pérez Barahona

Chilean physician and feminist

Ernestina Pérez Barahona (1865–1951) was a pioneering Chilean physician and a prominent figure in the early feminist movement in Chile. She was among the first women in Chile to earn a medical degree and played a significant role in advocating for women's rights and education.

Early Life and Education

Ernestina Pérez Barahona was born in Valparaíso, Chile, in 1865. From a young age, she showed a keen interest in the sciences, which was encouraged by her family. At a time when educational opportunities for women were limited, Pérez Barahona pursued her studies with determination.

In 1887, she traveled to France to study medicine at the University of Paris, one of the few institutions that admitted women at the time. She graduated in 1891, becoming one of the first Chilean women to earn a medical degree.

Medical Career

Upon returning to Chile, Pérez Barahona faced significant challenges in establishing her medical practice due to prevailing gender biases. Despite these obstacles, she succeeded in opening a clinic in Santiago, where she specialized in gynecology and pediatrics. Her practice was notable for its focus on women's health, a relatively neglected field at the time.

Ernestina Pérez Barahona

Pérez Barahona was also involved in public health initiatives, advocating for better healthcare access for women and children. Her work contributed to the improvement of maternal and child health services in Chile.

Feminist Advocacy

In addition to her medical career, Ernestina Pérez Barahona was a vocal advocate for women's rights. She was a founding member of several women's organizations, including the Chilean Women's Union, which sought to improve educational and professional opportunities for women.

Pérez Barahona believed that education was the key to women's empowerment and worked tirelessly to promote access to education for girls and women. She gave numerous lectures and wrote extensively on the importance of women's education and participation in public life.

Legacy

Ernestina Pérez Barahona's contributions to medicine and women's rights have left a lasting impact on Chilean society. She is remembered as a trailblazer who broke barriers for women in the medical profession and as a passionate advocate for gender equality.

Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of women in medicine and activism. In recognition of her contributions, several institutions and awards in Chile bear her name, celebrating her pioneering spirit and dedication to social justice.

Related Pages

• Women in medicine
• Feminism in Chile
• History of medicine in Chile