Do you know who Matilde Hidalgo de Procel is? Why is Google celebrating her birthday? Well, many of us are not fully aware of the name Matilde Hidalgo de Procel. She was born on 22nd November 1889, and hence, therefore, Google has been celebrating her birthday. But who was she?
Introduction About Matilde Hidalgo de Procel
Matilde Hidalgo de Procel was a trailblazing doctor and also a women rights activist. Plus, she was also an Ecuadorian physician, as well as a poet. She even worked as an activist and made herself to be the first woman in Latin America to cast her vote. Throughout her whole life, she has fought for women’s rights on a global level. She is known out to be one of the most inspirational and powerful women in the history of America.
Background Story
She was born on 22nd November 1889 in Loja, Ecuador. She had six siblings, out of which she was the youngest one. When she reached her young age, she studied till 6th grade, which was her biggest desire.
Her older brother named, Antiono studied till the high school from Colegio Bernardo Valdivieso as Matilde granted her with the permission to do so.
In 1913, she became the very first woman to finish her graduation right through high school from Ecuador. She still continues with her studies from Universidad del Azuay, which is now known by the name of the University of Cuenca. She studied medicine. In 1921, in the history of Ecuadorian, she became the very first female doctor.
When Matilde Hidalgo de Procel Announced to Cast Vote?
She announced to cast a vote in presidential elections in the year 1924. This made her be the very first woman who registers herself to cast a vote during that year.
When State Council questioned her about the right to cast her vote, she, in return, answered in a way that the Ecuador constitution does not apply any sort of law over the gender vote casting requirement. Three main things are needed to cast a vote, which is age, literacy, and citizenship.
This act was a lot of inspiration and in favor of other American women. In the year 1941, she also became the first female who was elected officially. She was honored with the awards of Medal of Merit as well as Medal of Public Health from the Government. In support of her honor, her hometown also establishes a museum by her name.
Matilde Hidalgo de Procel as a Poet
After getting finish with the studies in 1913, she moved into the profession of being a poet and writer. She started publishing her poet writing based on science, love, and nature.
As she acquired her degree, she started taking maximum interest in politics and hence become so much passionate about started camping for women’s rights. She even desired to cast a vote in elections, which will motivate other women to cast a vote as well. She made her name entered in the country’s electoral roll.
Her vote casting act was canceled by the government administration, after which she raised a point that the Ecuador constitution does not apply any sort of law over the gender vote casting requirement.
Three main things are needed to cast a vote, which is age, literacy, and citizenship. Later on, she was granted the right to cast her vote based on constitutional rights and laws. This made her turned out to be the very first woman to cast her vote in the history of Latin Americans for their national presidential elections.
Award/Achievements
- In the year 1941, she also became the first female who was elected officially.
- She was honored with the awards of Medal of Merit as well as Medal of Public Health from the Government.
- In support of her honor, her hometown also establishes a museum by her name.
No doubt that Matilde Hidalgo de Procel has set a perfect example for women to fight for their rights and cast a vote according to constitutional rights. Throughout her whole life, she has fought for women’s rights on a global level. She was, indeed, an inspiration.
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