Born: December 17, 1856 (Munich, Germany)
Died: February 13, 1952 (Hofheim am Taunus, Germany)
Biography:
Elisabeth Hermine Winterhalter was a remarkable figure in German history, known for her groundbreaking contributions as a gynecologist, surgeon, feminist, and patron of the arts. Born on December 17, 1856, in Munich, Winterhalter defied societal norms and became one of the first female doctors and the first female surgeon in Germany.
Winterhalter was born into a family with a rich medical background. Her father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and oldest brother were all doctors, which inspired her early desire to pursue a medical career. However, her ambition to become a doctor was not supported by her family, and she initially attended a boarding school in Beuerberg Abbey.
After completing her education, Winterhalter worked as an assistant teacher in Schwabing. But her passion for medicine persisted, and in 1884, her mother finally relented and agreed to support her medical studies. Due to restrictions on women attending universities in the German Empire, Winterhalter applied to the University of Zürich and the University of Bern. She successfully completed her Swiss Matura in 1885 and gained admission to the University of Zürich.
It was in Zürich that Winterhalter’s life took a fortuitous turn. Through her university acquaintances, she met Ottilie Roederstein, a renowned portrait painter. The two women formed a deep and lasting bond and eventually became lovers. This relationship would provide Winterhalter with emotional support and companionship throughout her life.
Winterhalter’s dedication to her medical studies was unwavering. She passed her intermediate examination in 1886 and her state examination in 1889. To further enhance her skills, she sought internships at surgical clinics in Paris and Munich. Additionally, she traveled to Stockholm to learn gynecological massage from the renowned physiotherapist Thure Brandt.
After receiving her doctorate in 1890, Winterhalter began her medical practice in Zürich. However, she and Roederstein eventually moved to Frankfurt am Main, where career opportunities for Roederstein had arisen. In Frankfurt, Winterhalter seized the opportunity to establish the first gynecological polyclinic at the DRK-Schwesternschaft, a Red Cross organization. Despite being denied a German medical license, she gained recognition as a skilled gynecologist and obstetrician.
In 1895, Winterhalter achieved a momentous milestone as the first female surgeon in Germany to perform a laparotomy. Her groundbreaking surgical work revolutionized the field and opened doors for future women surgeons. Collaborating with Dr. Ludwig Edinger under the guidance of Prof. Carl Weigert, she conducted vital research leading to the discovery of the ganglion cell of the ovary, a significant contribution to the understanding of reproductive health. In 1896, their findings were published in a groundbreaking paper.
The year 1902 marked a significant milestone for women in Germany as they were granted the right to study medicine. At the age of forty-seven, Winterhalter took advantage of this newfound opportunity. She passed the Physikum and the Staatsexamen and, in 1903, obtained her medical license to practice in Germany.
Even as she grew older, Winterhalter’s passion for medicine remained undiminished. In 1907, she and Roederstein purchased land near Hofheim am Taunus and built a villa there. Winterhalter continued practicing medicine until her passing on February 13, 1952, in Hofheim am Taunus at the age of ninety-five.
Elisabeth Hermine Winterhalter’s legacy is an inspiration to generations of women in medicine. Through her perseverance in breaking barriers, Winterhalter paved the way for future female doctors and surgeons in Germany. Her significant contributions to gynecology and her unwavering dedication to her craft make her a trailblazer in women’s history.