Alfonso Galindo Herv S

Elisa Soriano Fisher, born in Madrid in 1891, was a prominent Spanish ophthalmologist and a significant figure in early 20th-century feminism. She pursued higher education at a time when it was rare for women, earning a degree in Medicine and a PhD in ophthalmology. Soriano Fisher balanced a medical career, including positions in public institutions and as a professor, with her activism.

She was instrumental in founding and leading feminist organizations like the National Association of Spanish Women (ANME) and the Female University Youth (JUF). Her advocacy focused on universal suffrage, equal access to education and employment for women, and promoting female autonomy. Soriano Fisher's work extended to international forums, representing Spanish university youth at suffrage conferences. She continued her professional and activist endeavors until her death in 1964, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer for women in medicine and public life.

Born in Madrid in 1891, Elisa Soriano Fisher's early life was marked by the loss of her mother at a young age. Her father was a respected gynecologist. Soriano Fisher received her early education in Madrid and later pursued higher studies in Guadalajara. She earned a teaching degree with distinction in 1912. Recognizing the opportunities for women in education and healthcare, she enrolled in medical school in 1914, becoming one of the first Spanish women to do so. She specialized in ophthalmology, a field also pursued by other pioneering female physicians of her time. Soriano Fisher obtained her medical degree in 1918 and a doctorate in 1919, with her doctoral thesis focusing on ocular tumors.

Elisa Soriano Fisher established a dual career, practicing ophthalmology in both public health settings and private consultation, while also teaching Hygiene, Physiology, and Anatomy. She was recognized as the first Spanish woman to hold an official hospital position in 1921, an achievement celebrated by feminist organizations. Soriano Fisher also served as a medical officer in the Spanish Civil Navy, traveling to South America. Later in her career, she continued as a professor and pediatric ophthalmologist, and actively promoted literary and cultural gatherings. Her contributions were acknowledged with the Medal of the City of Madrid in 1962.

A fervent advocate for women's liberation and equality, Elisa Soriano Fisher believed strongly in female autonomy and self-sufficiency, particularly through education. She was a founding member of the National Association of Spanish Women (ANME) and established the Female University Youth (JUF). These organizations aimed to secure educational and employment rights for women, advocating for equal pay and defending women's initiatives. Soriano Fisher represented Spanish university youth at international suffrage conferences, notably in Geneva. Her influence extended to various feminist groups, and she was a member of the Supreme Feminist Council of Spain, playing a key role in shaping the discourse on gender equality in the country.