Elsa Segerdahl – the first female docent at the Faculty of Medicine
Crop of a photograph of Axel W Persson and Elsa Segerdahl surrounded by people in Dendra, Greece, 1939. Photographer unknown.
In 1935, the Faculty of Medicine at Uppsala University appointed its first female docent. This year marks the 90th anniversary of that milestone, and, therefore, we wish to highlight Elsa Segerdahl as one of the early women in academia.
Segerdahl (1894–1975) was born in Gothenburg. At 21, she began her studies in her hometown before continuing at Uppsala University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in medicine in 1920. At that time, it was uncommon for women to attend university, and many female pioneers had to fight hard to defend their place in academia – not only against fellow students but also against faculty members.
After her time in Uppsala, Elsa Segerdahl continued her studies in Stockholm, earning a Licentiate of Medicine degree in 1925. It was even rarer for women to pursue doctoral studies, but Elsa did, and in 1935, she obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree. That same year, she also became the first-ever female docent in medicine at Uppsala. The minutes from the Faculty of Medicine state:
In an application submitted to the Faculty, accompanied by a list of merits and published works, Licentiate of Medicine Elsa Dagmar Carolina Charlotta Segerdahl has requested to be appointed docent in medicine at Uppsala University. With the submission of these documents and with reference to the enclosed excerpt from the Faculty’s minutes on the matter, the Faculty hereby respectfully submits that Licentiate Segerdahl should be appointed docent in medicine at the University. Uppsala, 14 October 1935.
Elsa Segerdahl’s career continued as Senior Consultant at Uppsala University Hospital and later as Senior Consultant at the medical clinic at Bollnäs Hospital (1952–1961).
Elsa Segerdahl and her friend Lisbeth sitting by the ruins of the Acropolis, Greece, 1939. The photo was probably taken by Axel W Persson.
Medical expertise abroad
During the 1940s, Elsa Segerdahl travelled extensively with her husband, archaeologist Axel W Persson (1888–1951). He initiated the Swedish excavations at the ancient sanctuary of Labranda in southwestern Turkey, which continue to this day. More than 50 local workers participated in the early excavations, and Elsa Segerdahl served as a physician for both the archaeologists and the local population.
The couple also participated in a humanitarian aid mission in Greece after the Second World War (1943–1944), in collaboration with the Swedish Red Cross. They lived in the city of Tripolis for two years, distributing food and supplies to the starving Greek population. Once again, Elsa Segerdahl’s medical skills were of great use.
Following her husband’s passing in 1951, Elsa Segerdahl continued to travel and work internationally. In the 1960s, at nearly 70 years of age, she embarked on a long journey to the eastern rainforest regions of Peru. For almost a year, she worked without remuneration at the Albert Schweitzer Amazon Hospital, assisting with the heavy workload. Among the impoverished population, various severe diseases were rampant, and in addition to fighting these illnesses, the hospital also focused on education and awareness to build greater resilience.
Elsa Segerdahl lived to be 80 years old and passed away in 1975.
Jenny Asp