The First Woman In Europe To Obtain A License To Practice Law
Today I will write about a historic figure that I discovered a while back, Sarmiza Bilcescu, a pioneer of women’s rights and education in Romania and Europe. She was the first woman ever to study law and obtain a Ph.D. in law from the University of Paris, and the first in her country and Europe to be licensed to practice law.
She was also a feminist activist and a founder of the Society of Romanian Young Ladies, which aimed to promote women’s education and emancipation.
A remarkable woman who broke the barriers of gender and tradition, and paved the way for women’s empowerment and emancipation in Europe. She was a trailblazer of women’s education and rights and a champion of justice and equality. She was a woman of law, a woman of action, and a woman of vision.
Early life and education
Sarmiza Bilcescu was born on April 27, 1867, in Bucharest, Romania, in a family of intellectuals and politicians. Her father, Dumitru Bilcescu, was a former chief of the Finance Control under Prince Barbu Stirbey, and her mother, Maria Bilcescu, was a self-avowed feminist. Sarmiza was accompanied by her mother to France, where she applied for the University of Paris in 1884.
At first, she faced resistance and prejudice from the faculty and the students, who were not used to seeing a woman in the law school. However, she proved her determination and intelligence, and earned the respect and admiration of her professors and peers. She received a license to practice law in 1887, and a PhD in law in 1890, with a thesis titled “On the Legal Condition of the Mother“. She was the first woman in Europe to achieve these academic feats, and one of the first in the world.
Career and activism
In 1891, Sarmiza Bilcescu returned to Romania, where she was admitted to the bar association in Ilfov County, which also included Bucharest. She was the first woman lawyer in Romania, and one of the first in Europe. Her admission was supported by the renowned jurist Constantin Dissescu, and the president of the bar, the famous lawyer and politician Take Ionescu. However, she never practiced law, as she married the engineer Constantin Alimănișteanu in 1897, and retired from her profession.
She remained active in feminist circles, and was among the founding members of the Society of Romanian Young Ladies, which was established in 1894. The society aimed to improve the education and social status of women, and to fight for their civil and political rights. Sarmiza Bilcescu was also involved in various charitable and cultural activities, such as organizing conferences, exhibitions, and concerts.
Legacy and recognition
Sarmiza Bilcescu died on August 26, 1935, in Bucharest, Romania. She was buried in the Bellu Cemetery, next to her husband. She left behind a legacy of courage, excellence, and innovation, as well as a model of inspiration for generations of women who followed her footsteps. She was honored by various institutions and organizations, such as the Romanian Academy, the National Council of Romanian Women, and the Romanian Bar Association. She was also featured on a postage stamp issued by the Romanian Post in 2021, as part of a series dedicated to remarkable Romanian women.
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Ink And Reason 