WOMEN OF LEARNING:  NAME INDEX  |   DISCIPLINES  |   PERIODS  |   FIRSTS  |   THE INVISIBLE
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Science is sometimes defined as a way of seeing things. Women still far too often constitute a "blind spot" in the vision of the scientific community.

Veronica Stolte-Heiskanen in Women in Science - Token Women or Gender Equality (1991).

FIRST WOMEN:

1870 first woman to take the matriculation examination: Marie Tschetschulin
1874 dissertation (chemistry, University of Zürich): Lydia Sesemann
1878 Licentiate of Medicine (without being officially enrolled in the University):
Rosina Heikel
1882 Magister of Philosophy: Emma Irene Åström
1895 dissertation in Finland, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery: Karolina Eskelin
1896 Doctor of Philosophy: Tekla Hultin
1903 first dissertation in Finland, Faculty of Science (chemistry):
Signe Malmgren
1906 docent, university teacher: Alma Söderhjelm
1918 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in Finland and Europe (University of Leipzig):
Agnes Sjöberg
1919 dissertation in pedagogy: Kaino Oksanen
1927 professor (Personal Extraordinary Professor, Åbo Akademi):
Alma Söderhjelm
1927 opponent at dissertation (Faculty of Medicine): Elsa Ryti
1930 professor, University of Helsinki, Professor of Medicine and holder of a permanent
chair (Obstetrics and Gynaecology): Laimi Leidenius
1936 Doctor of Agriculture: Synnöve von Hausen
1938 dissertation in physics: Eugenie Lisitzin
1942 dissertation in Finnish language studies: Eeva Lindén
1946 Doctor of Laws (Justice): Inkeri Anttila
1947 professor in physical and natural sciences (assistant professor of chemistry):
Salli Eskola
1952 Doctor of Theology: Eira Paunu
1955 dissertation in astronomy: Liisi Oterma
1958 dissertation in economics: Vieno Rajaoja
1959 Professor of Pedagogy: Inkeri Vikainen
1958 Doctor in Social Sciences: Elina Haavio-Mannila
1961 Professor of Law: Inkeri Anttila
1964 Professor of Sociology: Faina Jyrkilä
1969 Professor of Philosophy: Raili Kauppi
1991 Professor of Women's Studies: Päivi Setälä
1992 Rector of university (Jyväskylä): Aino Sallinen

1 2 3 4

1 First Finnish woman to take the matriculation examination in 1870 was Marie Tshetshulin from Helsinki.

2 Emma Irene Åström was 80 years old when she became doctor honoris causa at the University of Helsinki in 1927. University of Helsinki museum.

3 Experiments with pea cultures in Synnöve von Hausen's dissertation.

4 Eira Paunu on a magazine cover, 1952.


Further reading:

Maija Väisänen: "Emma Irene Åström". National Biography of Finland