Jan 25, 2023
Adelaide Cabete's 156th Birthday
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates the 156th birthday of Adelaide Cabete, a Portuguese feminist, humanitarian, physician, and activist who tirelessly fought for women’s rights and equality in the 20th century. She was also the founder and president of the Conselho Nacional das Mulheres Portuguesas (The National Council of Portuguese Women).
Cabete was born on January 25, 1867 near Elvas, Portugal. As a child, she worked as a housemaid to help her family survive. Although she didn't have time to go to school, she still learned how to read and write on her own. When she was 23, she finished her high school diploma with distinction. She then studied medicine at the Medical-Surgical School in Lisbon and earned her degree at age 33, becoming only the third Portuguese woman to do so! Her thesis promoted the protection of pregnant women and advocated for maternity leave in Portugal.
She founded the Republican League of Portuguese Women in 1909 and the National Council of Portuguese Women (CNMP) in 1914, two institutions that supported disadvantaged women and children and advocated for women’s emancipation. Cabete also educated other women about childcare and feminine hygiene, and outwardly encouraged the opening of maternity hospitals.
She was the lead editor of the CNMP’s bulletin, Alma feminina, and wrote several articles about social and medical equality for women. She helped organize the first two feminist congresses in Portugal in 1924 and 1928, which promoted political, civil, educational, and economic rights for women.
Throughout her life, she actively fought for women’s suffrage and laid the groundwork for future feminist movements. Cabete is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in Portuguese society, remembered for her fearless leadership.
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