Luisa de Medrano

Luisa de Medrano
Portrait of Luisa de Medrano by Juan Soreda
Born(1484-08-09)9 August 1484
Died1527
NationalityBasque-Castilian
Known for
Awards"Luisa de Medrano" gender equality award in Castilla–La Mancha
Scientific career
Fields
InstitutionsUniversity of Salamanca
PatronsQueen Isabella I of Castile

Luisa de Medrano y Bravo de Lagunas y Cienfuegos (Atienza 9 August 1484 – 1527) was a Basque-Castilian poet, philosopher, professor, and scholar from the Kingdom of Castile. By 1508, she is widely believed to have become the first female professor in Europe, teaching Latin at the University of Salamanca. Luisa de Medrano was among the Renaissance women celebrated by their contemporaries as puellae doctae ('learned girls'). The Hall of Cloisters at the Higher Schools of the University of Salamanca is named 'Lucía de Medrano' in her honor, and in 2015, the Castilla-La Mancha Regional Government established the 'Luisa de Medrano' International Award for Gender Equality. On 9 August 2022 Google celebrated Luisa's 538th birthday.