Maria Kalapothakes | |
|---|---|
 Kalapothakes in 1910 | |
| Born | 1859 Athens, Greece |
| Died | 1941 (aged 81–82) Athens, Greece |
| Resting place | First Cemetery of Athens |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Alma mater | Sorbonne University Radcliffe College |
| Known for | First Woman Physician (Greece) Modern Nursing in Greece |
| Mother | Martha Hooper Blackler |
| Relatives | Dimitrios Kalapothakis Daphne Kalopothakis |
| Awards | Silver Cross |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Medicine |
| Institutions | Arsakeio School for Girls Red Cross |
Maria Kalapothakes (Greek: Μαρία Καλαποθάκη, 1859-1941) was a Greek medical doctor of American descent. She was the first woman physician in modern Greece. She was a pioneer for women's medical education in Greece during the late 19th century along with Angélique Panayotatou. She was a member of the Union of Greek Women or Enosis ton Hellenidon (Ένωση των Ελληνίδων) along with Kalliroi Parren. She established a clinic for women and children and trained nurses. Maria attended the first Panhellenic Medical Congress and campaigned for the fight against tuberculosis; also, she was the secretary of the International Council of Women in Greece from 1906–1909. Regrettably, women were not allowed to teach medicine at the University of Athens. Angélique Panayotatou was met with staunch criticism by men in 1908 when she attempted to lecture at the University of Athens. Kalapothakes decided to teach hygiene at the Arsakeion high school for girls. Women could not vote in Greece until 1956.[1][2]
Maria was born in Athens to an American woman named Martha Hooper Blackler Kalopothakes and a Greek surgeon Michail Kalapothakes. She attended school in the United States and medical school in Paris at the Sorbonne for eight years. When she returned to Greece she was the first female doctor in the country. Angélique Panayotatou was the first woman to graduate from the University of Athens Medical School around the same period. Maria fought for women's rights throughout her life she was awarded the Silver Cross in 1899 in recognition of her selfless work. She participated in aiding countless war refugees during the different uprisings involving Greece. She died poor in 1941 because she spent her money aiding patients.[1][3]
- ^ a b Geropeppa et al. 2019, pp. 56–60.
- ^ Staff Writers (February 21, 2023). "Women and higher education in Greece in the 19th century (Οι Γυναίκες και οι Ανώτατες Σπουδές στην Ελλάδα τον 19ο αιώνα)". Arsakeio History. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ McDonald 2022, pp. 5–6.