Dr. Evangelina Rodriguez (1879 – 1947) was the first female doctor in the Dominican Republiic, she specialized in gynecology, obstetrics and pediatrics.
Dr. Evangelina Rodriguez was passionate about giving back to impoverished communities especially women and children. She provided care through an organization she created called “La Gota de Leche (“The Drop of Milk”) where she provided baby formula to poor mothers and also free medical counseling for single mothers and prostitutes through OB/GYN services.
Dr. Evangelina Rodriguez also punished two books Granos de Polen translated as Grains of Pollen (1915) and Le Guerisseur; Cuento Chino Biblico Filosofico de Moral Social. In her writing she highlights the discrimination she received from the government and community for being women in medicine. In her book Granos de Polen she states “Even in the street when I pass by, people throw insults at me, For them I’m either kept by a man or not interested in men.” Despite the blacklash she received for her work she continued advocating for the womens suffrage movement in the Dominican Republic which fought against the misogynistic and racist Trujillo dictatorship. Her activist landed her in jail where she was raped and tourtoured until being released near Hato Mayor on an abonbaned road where she was sadly left to die.
Despite facing hate and discrimination for being a successful educated Black woman in a time where women were still fighting for basic rights in the Dominican Republic, Dr. Evangelina Rodriguez did not allow herself to be discouraged despite the toll it took on mental health and her physical safety. She was selflessly dedicated to giving back to the community through medical services for women and families in need and feminist activism which later contributed to her tragic death. Although Trujillo attempted to erase her legacy by excluding her from medical recognition, she should be acknowledged as a hero of her time.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Evangelina_Rodr%C3%ADguez_Perozo
