Élida Passo (1867–1893) was an Argentine pharmacist, the first woman to practice that profession in her country and the first woman university graduate in South America.

Biography

Élida Passo was born in

Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, controlled by the government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southwest of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires is classified as an Alpha− glob ...

in 1867, the daughter of a pharmacist. When she began her higher education, she first pursued a major in Humanities and Philosophy, and had a brief stint in Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences, both faculties of the

University of Buenos Aires The University of Buenos Aires (, UBA) is a public university, public research university in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is the second-oldest university in the country, and the largest university of the country by enrollment. Established in 1821 ...

. She eventually decided to follow in the footsteps of her father and study

pharmacy Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications, aiming to ensure the safe, effective, and affordable use of medication, medicines. It is a miscellaneous science as it ...

. She graduated in 1885, becoming the first South American woman to earn a university degree. Later she wanted to study medicine, but the university authorities denied her entry, arguing that it would be too difficult or uncomfortable for a woman to study with all male colleagues. This led Passo to initiate a judicial appeal which would have great repercussions in the academic field. This ended in her favor and she was able to enroll in the program. Élida Passo died of

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB), also known colloquially as the "white death", or historically as consumption, is a contagious disease usually caused by ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can al ...

in 1893, when she was in her fifth year of study and was close to completing her medical degree and becoming the first woman physician in Argentina.

Cecilia Grierson Cecilia Grierson (22 November 1859 – 10 April 1934) was an Argentine physician, reformer, nurse educator, feminist and prominent Freethinker. She had the distinction of being the first woman to receive a Medical Degree in Argentina. Early l ...

would earn this distinction in 1889.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Passo, Elida 1867 births 1893 deaths 19th-century deaths from tuberculosis Argentine pharmacists Argentine women scientists Health professionals from Buenos Aires Tuberculosis deaths in Argentina