On this occasion it is worth mentioning the women who dedicated themselves to science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the 16th century. At this time, development was focused on the production of cures for the consumption of the general population, but without neglecting astronomy.
This issue concludes the journey through the history of women in STEM during the Middle Ages, a period in which Europe took center stage from the 12th century to the beginning of the 14th century AD.
Isabella Cortese (1561 A.D.)
She was an alchemist and writer during the Renaissance; her book I secreti della signora Isabella Cortese was printed in Venice and introduced alchemy to a wider audience. It covered topics such as medical and cosmetic remedies, advice on how to run a household and an investigation on how to turn metal into gold. The writing contained instructions on how to make practical products such as toothpaste, glue, polish, soap and cosmetics. The book showed many unknown parts of nature and how they could be used medicinally.
Loredana Marcello (before 1533 - 1572 A.D.)
She was an aristocrat of Venice, wrote letters and poems, as well as studying botany. She represented the ideal of the educated Renaissance woman of the Venetian nobility. She is known for the formulas and recipes she developed to attack pests, but they were believed to be more treatments than cures. Although her written work was lost, it is known that her botanical research was consulted and used during an epidemic that appeared in Venice in 1575, years after her death.
Sophia Brahe (1556 - 1643 A.D.)
She was a Danish noblewoman and horticulturist, she had knowledge in chemistry, astronomy and medicine. She worked with her brother Tycho Brahe in astronomical observations. She believed that small doses of poisons could serve as powerful medicines, she used her skills to treat the local poor. She was devoted to astrology and assisted her brother in the creation of horoscopes. Although her brother instructed her in horticulture and chemistry and did not encourage her to study astronomy, Sophia on her own studied it from German books and Latin books, for the latter she paid with her money for translations. Sophia played a fundamental role in her brother's work on orbits, which is the basis for the modern methods used to predict the position of the planets.
Caterina Vitale (1566-1619 A.D.)
Born in Greece, she is credited as the first woman pharmacist and chemist in Malta, as well as the first pharmacist in the Order of the Knights Hospitallers. She inherited a pharmacy from her husband and was responsible for supplying medicines to the Sacra Infermeria . She is also described as a successful businesswoman who generated great wealth, which was unusual for the time.
