Have you seen the Google Doodle for today?
Today, the Google Doodle highlighted a brilliant theologist who goes by the name - Elena Cornaro Piscopia. Today - 5th June, marks the 373rd anniversary of her birthday. Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, or Elena Lucrezia Corner, was a female scholar from Venice (in Italy) living in around the 1600s. She became one of the first ladies to get an academic degree from a university and the first lady to get a doctorate (PhD) in 1678.
A doctorate is the highest degree which you can get from any university. It can be abbreviated as PhD, which stands for Doctor of Philosophy. It can also be abbreviated as Ed.D which means Doctor of Education.
Elena was born into a privileged family which had noble descent. At just 11 years old, her parents realised Elena’s potential for learning and were encouraged to give her lessons in languages. So she was educated in the classical languages of Greek and Latin. Although, Elena did not stop there with her education. Elena continued to learn Hebrew, Spanish, French as well as Arabic, mastering seven languages altogether. Alongside this, Elena would learn to play musical instruments such as a harpsichord, clavichord, a harp and (musical instrument which I play) violin. Elena would even learn mathematics and astronomy.
Astronomy is the natural science involving maths, physics and chemistry which studies celestial bodies and phenomena.
Although after studying all this, Elena wasn’t after glory or any academic acknowledgement. She was just very happy and intrigued by attaining more knowledge. Elena’s interests were actually in theology and philosophy. Philosophy is the study of the fundamental and general questions about existing, knowledge, values, reason, mind as well as religion. Whereas theology is the study of the nature of God as well as the board topic of religious belief. It is a study which is normally undertaken at the university level. So, Elena enrolled in a university, applying for a Doctorate of Theology. However, the church officials rejected this application. They refused to give this title to a woman.
Though because she was from a privileged family, Elena was able to apply to the course. Even though it did take a lot of struggle and for her father to step in. But, I say good on Elena!
In the Google Doodle, Elena is wearing a wreath of laurels which is the symbol of victory and honour - a fitting head garment for such an inspirational lady. She is also wearing an ermine cape across her shoulders which is a cape made of the fur from a Stoat. I know that fur isn’t a popular choice of clothing material today. However, Elena is from a privileged background and ermine would be a material which was reserved for the royals or high-ranking peers. So, it’s a marker of Elena’s wealth. There is also a gold ring indicating of Elena’s wealth. Plus, in Elena’s hands is a book of philosophy. I hope to give many women reading this post an inspiration to reach your own goal. It might not be a doctorate like Elena Cornaro Piscopia... Mine is to eventually get a Masters in Science Communication. Or continue to work in the wonderful and chaotic career of teaching engaging science workshops.
I apologise for the lack of blog posts
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Today, the Google Doodle highlighted a brilliant theologist who goes by the name - Elena Cornaro Piscopia. Today - 5th June, marks the 373rd anniversary of her birthday. Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, or Elena Lucrezia Corner, was a female scholar from Venice (in Italy) living in around the 1600s. She became one of the first ladies to get an academic degree from a university and the first lady to get a doctorate (PhD) in 1678.
A doctorate is the highest degree which you can get from any university. It can be abbreviated as PhD, which stands for Doctor of Philosophy. It can also be abbreviated as Ed.D which means Doctor of Education.
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| This is a harpsichord. An instrument played similarly to a piano, with keys placed at the front of the instrument.
Credit: Wikipedia
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Elena was born into a privileged family which had noble descent. At just 11 years old, her parents realised Elena’s potential for learning and were encouraged to give her lessons in languages. So she was educated in the classical languages of Greek and Latin. Although, Elena did not stop there with her education. Elena continued to learn Hebrew, Spanish, French as well as Arabic, mastering seven languages altogether. Alongside this, Elena would learn to play musical instruments such as a harpsichord, clavichord, a harp and (musical instrument which I play) violin. Elena would even learn mathematics and astronomy.
Astronomy is the natural science involving maths, physics and chemistry which studies celestial bodies and phenomena.
Although after studying all this, Elena wasn’t after glory or any academic acknowledgement. She was just very happy and intrigued by attaining more knowledge. Elena’s interests were actually in theology and philosophy. Philosophy is the study of the fundamental and general questions about existing, knowledge, values, reason, mind as well as religion. Whereas theology is the study of the nature of God as well as the board topic of religious belief. It is a study which is normally undertaken at the university level. So, Elena enrolled in a university, applying for a Doctorate of Theology. However, the church officials rejected this application. They refused to give this title to a woman.
Though because she was from a privileged family, Elena was able to apply to the course. Even though it did take a lot of struggle and for her father to step in. But, I say good on Elena!
In the Google Doodle, Elena is wearing a wreath of laurels which is the symbol of victory and honour - a fitting head garment for such an inspirational lady. She is also wearing an ermine cape across her shoulders which is a cape made of the fur from a Stoat. I know that fur isn’t a popular choice of clothing material today. However, Elena is from a privileged background and ermine would be a material which was reserved for the royals or high-ranking peers. So, it’s a marker of Elena’s wealth. There is also a gold ring indicating of Elena’s wealth. Plus, in Elena’s hands is a book of philosophy. I hope to give many women reading this post an inspiration to reach your own goal. It might not be a doctorate like Elena Cornaro Piscopia... Mine is to eventually get a Masters in Science Communication. Or continue to work in the wonderful and chaotic career of teaching engaging science workshops.
I apologise for the lack of blog posts
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