Matilde Hidalgo de Procel was a trailblazing Ecuadorian physician, poet, and activist who played a pivotal role in championing women’s rights across Latin America. Her legacy is defined by numerous “firsts” from being the first woman to obtain a high school diploma in Ecuador to casting the continent’s inaugural female vote in a national election. Revered today as one of the most influential feminist figures in Ecuadorian history, Hidalgo’s journey broke barriers in education, politics, and medicine, and continues to inspire generations seeking equality and social progress.
Early Life and Education
Born on September 29, 1889, in Loja, Ecuador, Matilde Hidalgo was one of six siblings raised by her widowed mother, Carmen Navarro, after her father’s early death. Amid societal constraints that prevented women from attending high school, Hidalgo’s determination stood out. With support from progressive educators, she became the first girl in Loja and all of Ecuador to graduate from high school in 1913, overcoming fierce resistance from families and community leaders who ostracised her for pursuing education. This accomplishment set the stage for future achievements that would impact an entire continent.
Medical Career and Academic Distinction
Matilde Hidalgo’s thirst for academic excellence led her to the University of Cuenca, where she became the first Ecuadorian woman to earn a medical degree. In 1921, she earned her doctorate from Central University of Ecuador, becoming the first woman in the country’s history to earn a Doctor of Medicine. Despite the era’s prevailing gender bias, Hidalgo practised as a physician in Guayaquil, continuing her work in paediatrics, neurology, and nutrition with relentless commitment until 1949.
Political Milestones: The First to Vote
Matilde Hidalgo made history in 1924 when she demanded the constitutional right to vote, at a time when women were not even recognised as potential voters. By pointing out that the Ecuadorian Constitution would allow any literate citizen over the age of 21 to vote, without specifying gender, she persuaded the authorities. On June 9, she broke ground by voting in Loja, becoming the first woman in Latin America to cast a ballot in a national election. Her landmark action precipitated explicit legal reforms, and Ecuador became the first Latin American country to grant women the right to vote in 1929.
Public Service and Advocacy
Her resolve did not stop at voting rights. Matilde Hidalgo became the first woman elected to public office in Ecuador in 1941, serving first as a councilwoman and then as vice president of the municipal council in Machala. She went on to be appointed as Deputy Elected to Congress, the first woman to hold the position, continuing her advocacy for women in public education, health, and civil service. Her political influence extended far beyond her local community, laying the groundwork for feminist movements across Latin America.
Recognition and Honours
Matilde Hidalgo’s pioneering achievements were celebrated nationally and beyond. She was awarded the National Merit Award in 1956 and 1971, recognised by presidential decree and the Ministry of Health for her public service and medical contributions. She became an honorary lifetime president of the Ecuadorian Red Cross in El Oro and co-founded major medical associations. Today, museums in Loja and Guayaquil immortalise her achievements, and her memory lives on through films, literature, and the digital tributes of global organisations.
Personal Life and Lasting Legacy
Matilde Hidalgo married lawyer Fernando Procel in 1923, and their two children continued the family’s tradition of professional distinction. Despite enduring social ostracism and institutional resistance, she never relinquished her commitment to women’s emancipation and dignity. Hidalgo died at age 84 in Guayaquil on February 20, 1974. Her advocacy catalysed profound change, making her a symbol of resistance against exclusion and a beacon of hope for women throughout Latin America.
Impact on Feminism and Modern Society
Matilde Hidalgo de Procel’s courage and achievements inspired feminist movements across Latin America, strengthening the region’s civil rights discourse. Her contributions are taught in schools, spotlighted during national commemorations, and echoed in digital campaigns, such as Google Doodles, which honour her extraordinary legacy as a physician, poet, mother, and politician. She is remembered not only for her professional milestones but also for the societal doors she opened in education, healthcare, and public representation, making her name synonymous with progress and gender equality.
