Alice Rosenstein (1898-1991) First German Female Neurosurgeon.

Résumé

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Gender inequality has been a long-standing issue throughout history, with limited progress despite the rise of women in the workforce. Historically, women were deemed inferior to men, including within the medical profession, due to perceived bodily differences.METHOD: This perception was reinforced in religious texts, depicting women as bearing the burden of the first woman's transgressions. Such attitudes also influenced the treatment of women's health, with menstruation viewed as a natural source of suffering. Nevertheless, a thorough examination of medical history unveils a deep-rooted bias against women.RESULTS: This antiquated and discriminatory notion lacks any foundation in scientific truth. Indeed, an examination of the contributions made by female physicians reveals that they deliver equivalent levels of care, attentiveness, preventive measures, and therapeutic efficacy as their male counterparts. The narratives of female trailblazers in the medical field, like Alice Rosenstein, the first female neurosurgeon in Germany, provide compelling evidence of this phenomenon.CONCLUSIONS: This paper delves into her professional journey and the significant influence she has had on the field of neurosurgery.