Four Athenas – Europe's first female neurosurgeons

In the early 20th century, a tumultuous era was yielding geopolitical and social change. Europe at large undergoing redefinition of borders, political structures, economies, while rebuilding societies after World War I. At same time, neurosurgery emerging as new specialty, women were allowed to study medicine for first time in many European countries. These factors created synergy, setting stage Europe’s four female neurosurgeons emerge. 1924, Germany’s Alice Rosenstein began her neurosurgical career contributed refinement pneumoencephalography. Due Jewish background, she forced flee Europe, emigrating United States, where did not continue practice neurosurgery. 1929, Russia’s Serafima Bryusova training. She studied intracranial pressure trephined patients wrote Russian monograph on cerebral angiography before immobilized by severe arthritis. England’s Diana Beck 1939. surgical treatment intracerebral hemorrhage researched idiopathic hypertension, even though believed could be successful surgeon due myasthenia gravis. 1943, Romania’s Sofia Ionescu started prolific academic career. developed minimally-invasive technique treat hematomas worked tirelessly bring all corners country. marked war adversity. Their stories carry within them spirit resilience, fortitude, tenacity that continues characterize today.