Born: 12 December 1860, Panama
Died: 17 July 1929
Country most active: Panama
Also known as: Josefa de Obaldia
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Born at David City, Republic of Panama, December 12th, 1860. Died at Panama City, Republic of Panama, July 17th, 1929. Josefa Jacoba Jovane was married in 1899 to the Honorable Don Jose Domingo de Obaldia, who at that time was Senior Senator, at the Colombian Congress, of the then Department of Panama. He was the last Governor, under this government. Josefa Jacoba Jovane’s studies were carried on at her home, and she early became interested in medicine and in painting. Her parents, Doctor Agustin Jovane Arce (who was President of the Supreme Court at the age of thirty) and Manuela Aguilar y Tabara, were both descended from most prominent families. After her marriage, her husband was honored by being selected to go to Washington, D. C., as his country’s first Envoy Extraordinary, to further consolidate Panama’s independence. Later and while the guest of honor of France, he was instructed to proceed to Rio de Janeiro to represent Panama at the Fifth Pan-American Congress, and shortly thereafter was called, to be selected as the Republic of Panama’s first elected President. All of his terms were periods of strenuous and constructive activity. Notable accomplishments marked his tenure of office without accumulation of debt, for all of which much credit is due — and happily accorded — to his faithful and constant companion, whose sweetness and charity afforded strong contrast to the impulsiveness with which she acted at times when her country’s or her husband’s interests or ideals were at stake.
This impulsiveness pregnant with sincerity and love, was always based on “RIGHT and is best exemplified by a single sentence” of loving admonishment: “Domingo, you either win or lose — no compromises of any kind!” Probably in no other station in life, could this charming personality have better contributed to the welfare and benefit of multitudes of her fellow countrymen, than as the powerful wife of a powerful diplomat and statesman. Her benefactions were widespread and always most practical, and her early studies in medicine (although elementary) were aptly and wisely applied, in the care of her people afflicted with illnesses peculiar to the tropics. Invariably her recommendations were accompanied by gifts of the medicines required. She still lives in the hearts and memories of her countrymen.