The story of midwifery is in part the tale of a profession struggling for recognition
A… is for
AGNODICE
Although some classical scholars debate she ever existed, Agnodice (pictured below) is widely remembered as a pioneering midwife. According to legend, she was born into a wealthy Athenian family in the 4th century BC and, keen to help reduce the high rates of mortality in childbirth, decided to study medicine - a career from which women were prohibited. In order to study and work as a physician, Agnodice had to dress as a man and, it’s said, had to physically reveal herself as a woman to gain the trust of pregnant patients. She allegedly became the most in-demand physician in ancient Athens, despite court action being brought against her by the medical profession.