Distinguished Female Physician Award
First Greek-American Female Physician
Philanthropic Patriotic Pioneer
by Dr. Stella Lymberis MD
Mary Kalopothakes was born in Athens in 1859, the daughter of Michael D. Kalopothakes a medical doctor from Athens, Greece, and of Martha Hooper Blackler from Marblehead, Massachussetts, USA. She studied at Greek and American schools and graduated from the Harvard Annex (now Radcliffe College).
Mary wanted to study medicine, however, because of the difficulties posed due to the fact that she was a woman in the Greek University, she commenced her studies in Paris, France on October 1886. She completed a thesis titled the “Troubles et lesions gastriques dans la dyspepsie
gastrointestinale chronique des nourissons.” She returned to Athens in 1894 and passed the oral and written exams and began practicing the specialties of Pediatrics and Gynecology.
The pioneering female physician was an active member of the Union of Greek Women which was mobilized at the onset of the Greco-Turkish War of 1897. She worked as a Director and a surgeon of the Hospital of the Red Cross in Volos. She was recognized by Her Majesty Queen Olga for her daily training and seminars to prepare nurses to serve on the front. At the end of the war of 1897 the Greek women were also recognized by Florence Nightingale, the English nurse who made outstanding contributions to the knowledge and improvement of public health.
Mary Kalopothakes opened a clinic for women and children and trained nurses focusing on public health and the prevention of tuberculosis while always working fulltime as a pediatrician. In 1909 she published a report on public health in Greece outlining rates of infant mortality, hygiene and tuberculosis in the book “The Health of the Nations.” Her opening sentence demonstrates both her frustration and optimism with the existing medical challenges of the era: “Although ignorance and routine combine to swell the ranks of infant mortality, the Greek race is a prolific one, and the loss does not tell on the whole.”-Mary Kalopothakes, MD 1909
She continued her efforts publishing the book “Elements of Hygiene for Schools” in 1912 and editing the “Hygeia” (Health) magazine. During the Balkan War of 1912 she served in Arta at the Hospital of the Red Cross. In the two wars in which she took part, her contribution as a surgeon was legendary, demonstrating unparalleled dedication, unwavering courage and heroism.
A modest, charitable humanitarian, she attended to poor patients as well as to refugees of the Asia Minor Catastrophe without seeking payment. She found courage in her faith practicing medicine with a selfless dedication. Her practice of medicine was altruistic and benevolent. A daughter of the founder of the Greek Evangelical Church, she wrote many hymns for the church. She also wrote in the Ephemeris ton Paidon (Childs’ paper) and the Astir tis Anatolis (the Star of the East) newspapers that her father edited.
She died in January 1941 while the Greek troops enjoyed victories at the Albanian front. Mary Kalopothakes will always be remembered as a philanthropic patriotic, pioneer. By honoring Mary’s life and work we hope to help inspire future male and female Hellenic leaders of medicine and science.