Madeleine Brès

Brès Gebelin, Madeleine (1842-1925) CIPN20078

Madeleine Brès (26 November 1842 – 30 November 1921) was the first French woman to obtain a medical degree in France, marking a significant milestone in the history of women in medicine and the broader struggle for gender equality in education and the professional world. Her journey to becoming a physician was fraught with challenges, but her perseverance and success paved the way for future generations of women in the medical field.

Early Life

Madeleine Brès was born Madeleine Gebelin in 1842 in Bouillargues, a small town in the Gard department of southern France. From a young age, she expressed a keen interest in the sciences, particularly in medicine, which was highly unusual for women at the time due to societal norms that restricted their participation in higher education and professional careers.

Education

Brès's pursuit of a medical education was met with significant obstacles. Initially, she was denied access to medical school because she was a woman. Undeterred, Brès sought the intervention of Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III, who supported her case. In 1868, after much advocacy and perseverance, Brès was finally allowed to enroll in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Paris, becoming the first woman to do so in France.

Her time at the university was challenging, as she faced discrimination from both peers and professors. Despite these difficulties, Brès excelled in her studies and conducted research on breastfeeding and infant nutrition, areas that would become her specialties. In 1875, she successfully defended her thesis on the importance of breastfeeding, earning her medical degree and making history as the first French woman to do so.

Career

Following her graduation, Madeleine Brès opened her own medical practice, focusing on pediatrics and women's health. She was deeply committed to improving the health care of women and children, often providing free consultations to those who could not afford to pay. Brès also engaged in public health initiatives, including campaigns to promote breastfeeding and improve sanitary conditions in nurseries and schools.

In addition to her medical practice, Brès was an active writer and lecturer, contributing articles to medical journals and speaking on health issues related to women and children. She was a pioneering advocate for the inclusion of women in the medical profession, arguing that women doctors were uniquely positioned to treat women and children.

Legacy

Madeleine Brès's contributions to medicine and her role in breaking gender barriers in the medical field are widely recognized. She not only opened the door for women in medicine in France but also inspired women around the world to pursue careers in the medical and scientific fields. Her legacy is celebrated in various ways, including schools and streets named in her honor.

Death

Madeleine Brès passed away on 30 November 1921, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence the field of medicine and the fight for gender equality in education and professional careers.