“As Mulheres Corajosas” Who Made Portugal Great – Branca Edmée Marques

Branca Edmée Marques de Sousa Torres, April 1899 – July 1986, was one of the early Portuguese specialists in the peaceful application of nuclear technology, founder of the Radiochemistry Laboratory in Lisbon, and one of the many students inspired by Professor Marie Curie’s passion for science.

Although Portugal invested significant resources in searching for new, rich lands and finding new trading sea routes, mainly associated with seafaring and the Age of Discovery, the country has more recently also been home to women who have successfully ‘navigated’ the problematic waters of scientific research.

Spring 1899:

When the frail girl was born in the heart of Lisbon, nobody knew that the future would be so bright for the baby baptised Branca Edmée.

At eight years old, Branca Marques became a paternal orphan. She focused on studying, seeing education as an opportunity not to be wasted. After finishing secondary school, she enrolled at the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon to study physics and chemistry. Her commitment and hours of studying paid off and, five years later, she qualified with the highest marks in her year.

Summer 1924:

One year before graduation, she was invited to join the faculty staff as a chemistry assistant, becoming the first woman employed in the university’s chemistry laboratory.

Branca’s exceptional abilities caught the attention of Marie Curie, who invited her to conduct research at the Radium Institute in Paris. Under Mrs Curie’s mentorship, Branca earned a PhD in chemistry from the Sorbonne University in Paris.

Autumn 1936:

Two years later, she founded the Radiochemistry Laboratory, contributing significantly to the European understanding and application of atomic energy for non-combative use. Her research work quickly amassed international recognition, as she actively participated in expert scientific bodies and conferences.

Branca Marques’ commitment to post-secondary education and dedication to teaching were equally remarkable. She became the first woman to hold a professorship in chemistry in Portugal. In the middle of the 20th century, research was not properly acknowledged at the University of Lisbon, but Branca’s and other pioneers’ efforts created new avenues and opened new windows for systematically conducting research in Portugal.

Branca Edmée Marques and two collaborators at the Centre for Radiochemistry Studies of the Faculty of Sciences of Lisbon. Courtesy of Amonet (Portuguese Association of Women in Science) www.amonet.org

Winter 1942:

Dr Branca Edmée Marques became the first woman in Portugal to be a full professor in nuclear chemistry.

Although she had been previously invited to settle in Paris to pursue research work, she chose to return to Lisbon and join the Faculty of Sciences again, promoting science advancement in her own country.

1986:

Branca Edmée Marques passed away on 19 July 1986, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Her pioneering spirit, dedication to research and passion for teaching paved the way for women to study STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects and secured her place as a prominent figure in Portuguese science history.

Gender equality

Despite Branca Marques’ excellent qualifications, her career progression was relatively slow. The fact that she was a woman in a profession dominated by men was a major cause of this. She is quoted as saying that men considered it an insult to have to work with women:

“[…] being a woman is worse than being a wild beast. People don’t want them […] they want to work with men. It is considered an offence to have a woman sent to work with […].”

Fortunately, organisations like A Associação Portuguesa de Mulheres Cientistas (The Portuguese Association of Women in Science) are working to address these issues, promoting gender equality and supporting the advancement of women in science and society. In 2009, the Lisbon City Council honoured Branca Edmée Marques’ remarkable accomplishments by naming a street in the university district after her, to make sure that her important contributions to science and society would not be forgotten. By doing that and addressing the ongoing modern challenges, Portugal can further empower women in science and unlock their full potential to shape the future.

Main photo © Arquivo Histórico dos Museus da Universidade de Lisboa

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