Born: 1842 (Louvain, Belgium)
Died: 1916
Biography:
Isala Van Diest (7 May 1842 – 9 February 1916) was the first female medical doctor and the first female university graduate in Belgium. She was born in Louvain, Belgium, on May 7, 1842, to Pierre Joseph Van Diest, an open-minded surgeon and obstetrician. Growing up, Isala and her sisters received the same education as their brother, thanks to their progressive father. Additionally, their mother took them on a trip to England, exposing them to a progressive environment.
During that time, secondary high schools were not available to girls in Belgium. As a result, Van Diest traveled to Bern, Switzerland, to prepare for university studies. In 1873, she returned to Belgium and attempted to register with the Medical Faculty of the Catholic University of Louvain. However, she faced opposition from the Roman Catholic religious hierarchy, who suggested she become a midwife instead. Frustrated by this proposal, Van Diest returned to Bern, where she could pursue medical studies, as Swiss universities were the first in Europe to open up to women.
After years of hard work and dedication, Van Diest graduated in 1879. She then practiced medicine in England for two years, where women doctors were free to practice since 1866. Van Diest worked at the New Hospital for Women, where she had the opportunity to meet many British feminists and activists. Despite her successful experience in England, Van Diest decided to return to Belgium in order to have her medical qualifications recognized. To achieve this, she had to complete additional courses at the Free University of Brussels, which had been open to women since 1880.
In 1884, a Royal Decree finally allowed Van Diest to open her own medical practice in Brussels. Her patients came from the upper classes of Brussels society, but she also dedicated her time to treat pensioners at a nursing home for elderly prostitutes. Van Diest passionately fought for the better treatment of prostitutes, showcasing her commitment to social justice and equality. As a feminist, she co-founded the Belgian Women’s Rights League, alongside Marie Popelin, the first Belgian woman to receive a degree in Law.
In 1902, as her eyesight began to deteriorate, Van Diest decided to retire and moved to Knokke, where she spent her final years. She passed away on February 9, 1916, leaving behind a legacy of determination, compassion, and progress. Her contributions and achievements were recognized by the National Bank of Belgium when Van Diest and Marie Popelin were depicted on the 2 euro commemorative coin in 2011 to celebrate the centenary of International Women’s Day. This marked the first time Belgian women who were not part of the royal family appeared on the country’s currency.