Eugenia Sacerdote

Interviewer

Sandra McGee Deutsch

Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee

Medical doctor and scientific researcher, born in Italy. Had already started her career in Italy when the racial laws of 1938 cut it short. Emigrated to Argentina and worked here in research and in the university. Career went through many phases with local political change

Summary of Interview

Born in Turin in 1910. Very antifascist-saw Peronism as reply to fascism. Father died when she was about 10 years old so, was brought up by mother. Women couldn't study at that time, so she attended the Liceo Femenino, which didn't feed into the university, and then stayed home for a year. She and her cousin, who would go on to win a Nobel Prize, and who was brought up in an even more restricted fashion, studied for one year to be able to pass certain courses to get into the university. She experienced much prejudice in medical school, but persevered and got her degree. In 1936 she finished her thesis (doctoral) and in 1937 passed her test to practice medicine. With the racial laws of 1938, she and her family lost their jobs and had to leave. They came to Argentina, went to Brazil, and then returned to Argentina for good. After WWII, they wanted to return to Italy , but they feared the Korean War might turn into a world war, and so they decided to stay in Argentina. She worked in the Facultad de Medicina at various times (under Frondizi as professor), at Instituto Rolfo various times, and at Instituto Malbrán. Became a famous researcher in histology. It was difficult for her to adjust to life here, with changes in language food, and separation from family, especially. Did experience antisemitism sometime, but generally treated well.

Date of Interview

7-26-2000

Length of Interview

1 hour and 30 minutes

Tape Number

No. 955

Transcript Number

No. 955

Length of Transcript

28 pages

Interview Number

No. 955

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

Comments

Interview in Spanish.

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