Andréa de Balmann (24 April 1913 – 2007)[1] was the first French Polynesian woman to qualify as a doctor. She was the mother of doctor Mareva Tourneux.[2]
De Balmann was born on Makatea in the Tuamotus.[1] Her father was the director of the French Phosphate Company there.[3] Her mother died in the 1918 influenza pandemic when she was four years old, and at the age of 11 she was sent to France for her education.[1] When the uncle she was staying with died, she was left alone in France.[1] In 1936, she graduated as a dental surgeon, and in 1939, as a medical doctor - the first Polynesian woman to do so.[1] After graduating, she returned to Tahiti, where she became involved in the conspiracy of the Mamao group to rally French Polynesia to the cause of Free France.[3]
She was director of the maternity ward at Vaiame hospital, and later director of the Malardé Institute.[1]
In 1972 she was made a knight of the Ordre national du Mérite. She was promoted to officer in 1981, and commander in 1990.[1] In 1977 she was made a knight of the Legion of Honour. She was promoted to officer in 1997.[1] In January 1997 she was made a Commander of the Order of Tahiti Nui.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h "Obsèques de Mme Andréa de Balmann". Gaston Flosse. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Légion d'honneur : Mareva Tourneux nommée chevalier" (in French). Tahiti Infos. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ a b "80 ans du ralliement : Le groupe de Mamao" (in French). Tahiti Infos. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "LISTE DES TITULAIRES". 21 July 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
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