Born: 30 September 1847, Hungary
Died: 25 March 1922
Country most active: Hungary
Also known as: Vilma Hugonnai-Wartha
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
In 1879, Countess Vilma Hugonnai successfully defended her dissertation and was awarded a medical doctorate by the University of Zurich. When Vilma returned to Hungary in 1880, she faced significant challenges in recognizing her degree. Despite the support from the Pest medical faculty, her request for nostrification was denied by the Minister of Religion and Education, citing existing laws. Hugonnai could only qualify as a midwife and worked under difficult conditions to support her family. Her struggle for recognition continued until 1897, when women were finally allowed to undertake university studies in Hungary, leading to her degree being officially recognized on May 14, 1897.