26 March: Remembering Julie Victoire Daubié on Birthday

OV Digital Desk
4 Min Read
Julie Victoire Daubié

Image Courtesy: Google Doodle

Julie Victoire Daubié (26 March 1824 – 26 August 1874) was a French journalist. She was the first woman to have graduated from a French university when she obtained a licenciate degree in Lyon in 1871.

Life and Career

Daubié was born on 26 March 1824, in Besançon, France. Her father was a bookseller, which gave her access to books and education. However, when her father died when she was just four years old, her family’s financial situation became precarious, and Daubié had to leave school at the age of 12 to work as a seamstress.

Despite her difficult circumstances, Daubié continued to study on her own and read extensively. In 1841, she won a prize for an essay on the importance of education for women, which was published in a local newspaper. This sparked her interest in journalism, and she began writing articles for newspapers and magazines.

In 1861, Daubié became the first woman to obtain a bachelor’s degree in France, after studying for the exams privately. She then pursued a career in journalism and writing, becoming a regular contributor to several newspapers and magazines.

Daubié was a strong advocate for women’s education and equality, and her writing often focused on these issues. In 1869, she founded a magazine called La Voix des Femmes (The Voice of Women), which aimed to promote women’s rights and education.

Daubié’s health began to decline in the early 1870s, and she died on 26 August 1874, at the age of 50. However, her legacy lived on, and her pioneering achievements in education and journalism inspired many women to follow in her footsteps. Today, Daubié is remembered as a trailblazer for women’s rights and as a symbol of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.

Award and Legacy

Julie Victoire Daubié’s legacy is one of determination, perseverance, and advocacy for women’s rights and education. She paved the way for future generations of women to pursue higher education and careers in journalism and writing.

In recognition of her achievements, several awards have been named after Daubié. For example, the Julie Victoire Daubié Award is given annually by the French Ministry of National Education to honor the first female baccalaureate graduate in France.

Daubié’s name is also engraved on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, as part of a commemoration of famous French women. In addition, a plaque honoring her was placed on her former home in Besançon in 2012, recognizing her as a pioneer of women’s rights and education.

Today, Daubié’s legacy continues to inspire women around the world to pursue their dreams and fight for gender equality. Her determination to overcome obstacles and break down barriers is a testament to the power of education and the resilience of the human spirit.

On 26 March 2018,  Google celebrated Julie Victoire Daubié’s 194th Birthday with a doodle.

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