Feminismo e medicina na Bahia (1836-1931)

Abstract

This study aims to reflect the life paths of two women Francisca Rosa Barreto Praguer (1836-1906) and Francisca Praguer Fróes (1872-1931): mother and daughter, both born in Cachoeira, sugar region of Bahia. By providing voices to female individuals and cause to emerge the milieux of their actions and interactions, sociocultural phenomena spanning from 1836 to 1931 are brought up for discussion. The work tries to recall singular experiences of subjectivity building that have disputed and defied the rigid normative hegemonic codes, prevailing into the traditional bahian society. The mother was one of the forerunners of the feminism in Bahia. Main utilized sources have been her memories, her feminist articles published into the Almanach do Diário de Notícias, inventories, letters and poems. The daughter has graduated as a physician by the Faculdade de Medicina e Farmácia da Bahia, in 1893. Francisca Praguer Fróes has participated intensely in the political and medical debates about the women´s health. Upon discussing her path as gynecologist and obstetrician, this work endeavors to evidence her formulations about feminine body protection, maternity and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. She has participated actively in the movement of the bahian women for the feminine franchise and by the establishment of the Federação Bahiana pelo Progresso Feminino. This study opts for the concept of gender relationship taking into account that the same are built by a totality of hierarchial relationships which do not feature anyhow a fixed character.