February 12th is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Historically, Filipino women have broken ground as scientists, doctors, nurses, researchers and more.

Born in 1911, Fe del Mundo was the founder and the first president of the Philippine Pediatric Society, the first Asian to be elected president of the Philippine Medical Association in its 65-years existence, and the first Asian to be voted president of the Medical Women’s International Association

During World War II, María Orosa Ylagan experimented with foods native to the Philippines, and developed Soyalac (a nutrient rich drink from soybeans) and Darak (rice cookies packed with vitamin B-1, which prevents beriberi disease), which helped save the lives of thousands of Filipinos, Americans, and other nationals. She also introduced to the public the well-known banana ketchup.

In 2022, Dr. Gigi Osler, an internationally-renowned surgeon, an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, and the first woman of colour to be the president of the Canadian Medical Association, was appointed to the Canadian Senate. Born in Winnipeg to immigrant parents from the Philippines and India, Dr. Osler serves as a role model, research supervisor, and mentor for Filipino and other racialized medical students in Manitoba and across Canada, including within the Filipino Association of Medical Students in Manitoba.

These women made incredible strides in their respective fields despite the significant barriers which have continually disadvantaged women of colour. Philippine Centre Canada is dedicated to empowering women and girls as they continue to dismantle these barriers and create a better society for us all.

Read more about groundbreaking Filipino women scientists here: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/2018/04/02/filipino-female-scientists.html?fbclid=IwAR3j8d6n4erG4XXh_XBbBNwYMjnJql52NFksJA8-Mq1OAeRYi-yu5kKN-Uo