Born: 1842 (Kaskinen, Finland)
Biography:
Emma Rosina Heikel was a Finnish medical doctor and feminist who was born on March 17, 1842, in Kaskinen, Finland. Her parents were Carl Johan Heikel, the mayor of Oulu and Kokkola, and Kristina Elisabet Dobbin. Growing up, both of her brothers, Alfred and Emil, pursued careers in medicine, which inspired Rosina to do the same. From a young age, she believed in equal access to education for all genders and decided to become a doctor like her brothers. However, at the time, there were no Finnish universities that allowed women to study medicine.
To pursue her dream, Rosina traveled to Sweden and trained in physiotherapy at the Stockholm Gymnastics Institute. She completed the course in 1866 and returned to Helsinki, where she furthered her knowledge by completing a course in midwifery a year later. Rosina also visited Stockholm again in 1869 to receive additional education in anatomy and physiology. In 1870, she was granted permission to attend physiology lectures at the University of Helsinki, and in 1871, she was given special permission to study medicine at the university.
Rosina’s perseverance paid off when she received her medical degree in 1878, becoming the first female physician in Finland and the first in the Nordic countries. Although she was granted a limited license to practice, which only allowed her to treat women and children, Rosina was determined to make a difference in the field of medicine.
In 1878, she started practicing in Stockholm and Copenhagen before settling in Vaasa in 1879 to specialize in women’s and children’s health. It wasn’t until 1884 that Rosina was able to register as a member of the Finnish Medical Society. In 1883, she was appointed as the city gynaecologist in Helsinki, a position specifically created for her. In 1889, the role was expanded to include paediatrics. Rosina remained in this position until 1901 and continued to maintain a private practice in Helsinki until 1906.
Apart from her medical career, Rosina was an active advocate for women’s rights and a member of the feminist association Naisasialiitto Unioni. She strongly believed in equal educational opportunities for women and helped found Konkordia-liitto, an organization for female academics. In 1888, Rosina spoke against legalized prostitution at a meeting of the Finnish Medical Society. In 1892, she addressed the Naisasialiitto Unioni to promote equality in educational opportunities for girls and boys.
Furthermore, Rosina played a crucial role in advocating for children’s health in rural Finland. She managed a children’s workhouse and dedicated her efforts to improve the well-being of children in underserved areas.
Rosina Heikel’s achievements as a pioneering female physician, her active involvement in the women’s rights movement, and her dedication to children’s health have left an enduring impact on society. Her passion for education and gender equality has inspired generations of women to pursue their aspirations in various fields.