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Virdimura (Catania, 14th century) was a Sicilian woman physician and surgeon.

Biography

Virdimura, of Jewish origin, daughter of a doctor, wife of Pasquale de Medico of Catania, was the first woman officially authorized to practice medicine and surgery in the world. Since she was a child she showed a great passion for medicine, interest that continued to cultivate thanks to her husband Pasquale, a doctor, who transmitted her love for the medical art.

Dr. Virdimura, who dealt with "physical medicine" and specialized in the treatment of internal diseases, asked the authorities to exercise the medical profession, in an exceptional period in world history of peace between Christian, Islamic and Jewish cultures, in order to help indigent patients who would not have the financial ability to bear the cost of health care, since the care and assistance of Christian doctors were very expensive. Going to the doctor was a privilege for few, so Virdimura wanted to make her profession a mission. She was highly regarded for her skill and knowledge of medical practice, also for a logistical reason, dictated by the constant requests that came to Christian doctors. Her work was also aimed at women, at a time when most of them resorted to plastic surgery to hide the loss of virginity, the discovery of which would bring shame and social stigma. The presence of women doctors became necessary when women refused to be subjected to medical examinations by men (a very common occurrence in the Middle Ages persisting even today).[2]

Studies

The medical training of the Jewish community and Israelite women relied primarily on practicing the art of health care in the family, if there was a family member who was a physician. It was only in the late Middle Ages that Jews obtained the right to access universities[3]. In Sicily there was no real medical school, so only the rich could go to other regions to study. Alternatively, you could receive training in the family and then be certified by the Dienchelele and authorized to practice medicine. Dr. Virdimura had not attended a Medical School, but had learned the art of medicine by working with her father and her husband, so we can say that she was trained in a real "private school". She was examined by the Protomedico of Sicily (the Dienchelele), deputy to confer the authorization to practice medicine (previously this task was entrusted to Christian doctors), and was considered suitable for the practice of medicine and, for his skill and expertise, soon became famous throughout the kingdom.[1] In subsequent years, the progress and proliferation of university schools and the decline of private schools caused a large decrease in women doctors, as the official medicine took over the family. The high cost and the excessive distance made medical schools not affordable for everyone, but only for rich and wealthy people. It would be many years before women would be allowed to re-exercise the practice of medicine.[2]

Career

Virdimura had acquired enough medical knowledge to allow her to operate even before obtaining the license. The woman was not content and wanted to be officially recognized as a doctor. On 7 November 1376[4], after having passed the test of ability with "praiseworthy fame", Virdimura was proclaimed in Catania "dutturissa" by a commission of experts of the royal family. In the certification, kept in the State Archive of Palermo, we read: "curare et praticare in scientia et arte medicina et fisice" (cure and practice in science, medicine and the art of science), but this was not enough for her, so much so that she demanded that, in the license of qualification to the profession, she was granted above all the possibility to cure the poor "Licentiam praticandi in arte medicina certa phisicas corporum umanum maxima pauperam" ( The license to practice the art of medicine is a sure sign of the greatest need of the human body)[5]. With the certification, Virdimura, obtained the title of "Magistra" which did not correspond to a true doctorate, as it precluded her from being able to teach in public institutions, but allowed her to practice medicine in all cities and lands of Sicily. The real doctorate was a "dignitas" that was conferred only to Christian doctors. In an age such as the Middle Ages, when medicine and magic were linked together and the accusation of witchcraft against women was a custom, it was unthinkable that an ordinary woman could pursue a career as a doctor, although in rich Jewish families and particularly avant-garde, daughters and wives could easily exercise the profession with the title of "magister"[1].

Historical context

In Sicily the presence of Jews is documented since the fourteenth century, they were grouped in masunates or family groups, and were about fifty, scattered throughout the island. The Jews, seen as different and inferior, were always subjected to restrictive laws; they were forced to pay a personal tax (gizia) and to wear distinctive signs, such as the wheel for males and the rindella for women. They were provided with their own hospital, butcheries and cemeteries, generally located outside the city walls, as if to emphasize the fact that there could be no mixing with the Christian population, although in some districts there was coexistence between Jews and Christians[6]. Jews have always shown a great interest in the sciences and had to fight to have their right to a degree recognized. Being a doctor in the Middle Ages included the Facultas legendi[7], i.e. the right to teach; however, Jews were denied this right. In 1446 Beniamino Romano of Syracuse, made sure that the king John of Aragon granted the Studium General, with which Jews were awarded the academic title in medicine and jurisprudence. It was so recognized the degree even to Jews. Nevertheless, there were still differences in treatment between the Christian and Jewish communities: Jews had to pay higher university fees than Christians; Christian doctors wore a gold badge that Jews were not allowed to wear. Jews were forbidden to treat Christians, as stated in the Sicilian Constitution of 1310: "nullus iudens aurea medendi artem excercere in cristianum vel medicinam ei dare vel conficere" (no one can judge the golden art of healing as a Christian, or give him a medicine or perform it)[8]. In case of disobedience, the penalty was different for the Jew and the Christian: the first was forced to a year in prison on bread and water, while for the second the penalty was reduced to only three months. In 1450, upon payment of a huge sum of money (10000 florins or 5000 scudi), paid to King Alfonso, the Jews were granted a pardon although they were lawbreakers and, among other things, they were allowed to treat both Israelites and Christians[9]. Dr. Virdimura lived in a period in which it was not at all easy, especially for women, to establish themselves as doctors, a period characterized by the increasing medicalization of society and a certain interest in scientific medicine. Jewish physicians began to assume increasing importance. Virdimura was not the only Jewish doctor to become famous, many others followed her, so that all kings, rich and notables resorted to the care of Jewish doctors. The case of Dr. Virdimura, was a clear example of the establishment of family dynasties of doctors where the presence of women became an almost natural fact, probably representing a glimmer of light, a significant example, but unfortunately isolated, that overcoming religious prejudices and differences based on sex, recognized the role of women in society and in particular of the Jewish people in a multi-ethnic social context, the Sicilian one[5]. Thanks to Virdimura, the city of Catania is proud to count among its historical citizens the first woman doctor legally authorized to practice medicine in the island.

Virdimura Award

Virdimura's fame has not dimmed over time. As a testimony of the perpetuation of his memory, Professor Cristina Tornali, physician and university professor, as well as President of the Italian Association for Neurodisabled AIN ONLUS and Professor Ignazio Vecchio, neurologist and university professor of Medical Bioethics and History of Medicine, created and promoted the International Virdimura Award, of which they hold the registered trademark. After conducting their studies since 1983, Professor Ignazio Vecchio and Professor Cristina Tornali, received their first recognition, precisely after 2012, from the Italian Society of History of Medicine, which obtained the legitimacy of the international award at the MIUR and of which Professor Adelfio Elio Cardinale was president; he, in fact, gave the award a special attention at the whole Italian Society of History of Medicine, which together with the University of Catania, sponsored the event, primarily promoted by the AIN ONLUS[10]. Starting in 2014, the award was registered in all 38 countries of the European and international community, rewarding those who have really impersonated the work of Virdimura with the aim of promoting the role of the female figure and women in civil society, help the poor and disabled. The award is also a symbol against racism and feminicide, and to those who spend their lives for research and for the social good; not always this commendation is awarded to a woman, but to those whose works and deeds have been inspired by the humanitarian principles of Dr. Virdimura[11]. On July 22, 2020 was held in Catania the official ceremony of delivery of the International Award Virdimura. This, held in the presence of institutional, Academic and Military Authorities and students of the Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery of the University of Catania, awarded Dr. Corinne Devin, Medical Officer of the General Command of the U.S. Marines, and famous for being Miss United States 2012, Miss Galaxy 2014, Miss Earth 2018 and Miss International 2020, distinguished mainly as a woman for her civil and social commitment in the field of Medicine and Dentistry and for her volunteer work in major theaters and war scenarios internationally. Year after year, the Virdimura International Prize is a source of pride for Italy, for the Italians and, above all, for the Sicilian people who gave birth to the first woman who was officially a Doctor in History. Virdimura remains over the centuries the symbol of a culture without barriers. The vocation of women, above any prejudice[12].

List of award winners

Years	Honorees	Nationality	Motivation
2012	Cristina Tornali	🇮🇹Italia	for research on Jewish medicine and Virdimura
	Ignazio Vecchio	🇮🇹Italia
2014	Mary Anne Nwibokou	🇮🇹Italia-🇳🇬Nigeria	"for her work against the exploitation of women."
2015	Zion Evrony	🇮🇱Israele	"for his work for interfaith peace."
2016	Miriam Jaskierowiczs Arman	🇮🇱Israele	"for his groundbreaking studies on autism."
2018	Marie Louise Coleiro Preca	🇲🇹Malta	"for her unceasing work for disabled children and the emancipation of women."
2019	Ethel Felice	🇲🇹Malta	"for his studies on childhood disabilities."
2020	Corinne Devin	🇺🇸Stati Uniti	"for his assistance on the war fronts to women, the poor and the disadvantaged".

Bibliography

• A.I.N. associazione italiana neurodisabili, A Catania Premio Internazionale Virdimura, 2018.
• Italiani.it, Premio Virdimura a Corinne Devin, da Miss Stati Uniti ai Marines, 2020.
• Paola Pottino, La Repubblica, Virdimura, la "dutturissa" che sfidò i preconcetti nella Sicilia medievale, 2019.
• Progamma Premio Virdimura.
• Vittore Colorni, Gli ebrei nel sistema del diritto comune, Giuffrè, Milano 1956 (II ed. 1969).
• Bartolomeo Lagumina, Giuseppe Lagumina, Codice diplomatico dei Giudei di Sicilia, Tip. Di M. Amenta, Palermo, 1884.
• Angelo Leone, Medici e Medichesse ebrei nella Sicilia del 1400, Palermo, 2013.
• Anna Maria Precopi Lombardo, Virdimura, dottoressa ebrea del Medio evo siciliano (PDF), su trapaninostra.it, Trapani. pp. 361-363.
• Giuseppe Pitrè, Medici, chirurghi, barbieri e speziali antichi in Sicilia, secoli XIII-XVIII, A. Reber, Palermo, 1910.

• (EN) Emily Taitz, Sondra Henry, Cheryl Tallan, The JPS guide to Jewish Women 600 B.C.E - 1900 C.E, Philadelphia, The Jewish Publication Society, 2003.
• Ignazio Vecchio, Stefano Di Mauro, Cristina Tornali, Luigi Rampello, Marcello Migliore, Liborio Rampello, Gaetana Silvia Rigo, Pietro Castellino, Jewish Medicine and Surgery in Sicily before 1492 , su www.actamedicamediterranea.com, 2012.
• Ignazio Vecchio, Cristina Tornali, Luigi Rampello, Marcello Migliore, Liborio Rampello, Gaetana Silvia Rigo, Giuseppe Armocida, Jewish Medicine and Surgery in Catania, Italy before 1492, su www.actamedicamediterranea.com, 2013.
• Domenico Ventura, Medici Ebrei a Catania. In: M. Alberghino, Medici e medicina a Catania dal Quattrocento ai primi del Novecento. Maimone Editore, Catania  2001.

Notes

1. ^ ^{Salta a: a b c} Angelo Leone, Medici e Medichesse ebrei nella Sicilia del 1400, Palermo, 2013.
2. ^ ^{Salta a: a b} Paola Pottino, La Repubblica, Virdimura, la "dutturissa" che sfidò i preconcetti nella Sicilia medievale. 2019.
3. ^ Giuseppe Pitrè, Medici, chirurghi, barbieri e speziali antichi in Sicilia, secoli XIII-XVIII, A. Reber, Palermo, 1910.
4. ^ ^{Salta a: a b c} Anna Maria Precopi Lombardo, Virdimura, dottoressa ebrea del Medio evo siciliano (PDF), su trapaninostra.it, Trapani. pp. 361-363.
5. ^ Bartolomeo Lagumina, Giuseppe Lagumina, Codice diplomatico dei Giudei di Sicilia, Tip. Di M. Amenta, Palermo, 1884, p. 99.
6. ^ Domenico Ventura, Medici Ebrei a Catania. In: M. Alberghino, Medici e medicina a Catania dal Quattrocento ai primi del Novecento. Maimone Editore, Catania  2001. p.1
7. ^ Vittore Colorni, Gli ebrei nel sistema del diritto comune, Giuffrè Milano 1956, p.89 (II ed. 1969).
8. ^ Bartolomeo Lagumina, Giuseppe Lagumina, Codice diplomatico dei Giudei di Sicilia, Tip. Di M. Amenta, Palermo, 1884. vol.2 p.28
9. ^ Giuseppe Pitrè, Medici, chirurghi, barbieri e speziali antichi in Sicilia, secoli XIII-XVIII, A. Reber, Palermo, 1910. p.72

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