Aug 09, 2022
Luisa de Medrano's 538th Birthday
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates the 538th birthday of Luisa de Medrano, a poet and philosopher who is considered Spain’s first female professor.
De Medrano was born on this day in 1484 in Atienza, Spain which is located in present-day Guadalajara. Her father belonged to the "Twelve Lineages of Soria" military order and died in battle during the Conquest of Granada, a campaign that would unify Spain under Catholic rule.
The Catholic Monarchs honored the family’s sacrifice, and took in Luisa and her siblings to be raised as noble children. Under the guidance of Queen Isabella I, de Medrano learned history, culture and humanist philosophy alongside children of the royal family.
In the early 16th century, when most women could not access education, de Medrano broke new ground by becoming the first female professor at University of Salamanca where she was believed to teach Latin.
To honor her legacy, the Spanish agency Instituto de la Mujer, Castilla-La Mancha awards The Luisa de Medrano International Prize to individuals who advance gender equality. A high school in Salamanca, IES Lucia de Medrano, is also named in her memory.
Happy birthday, Luisa de Medrano! Your story continues to inspire and empower women to break old molds.
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