Matilde Hidalgo de Procel: why a Google Doodle is celebrating the Ecuadorian polymath today

Today's Google Doodle depicts Ecuadorian physician, poet, and activist Matilde Hidalgo de Procel who became the first female doctor in the country's history exactly 98 years ago.

The Ecuadorian's life was punctuated with 'firsts' and the eye-catching doodle captures Hidalgo de Procel's multitude of achievements, which include becoming the first woman to vote in the Latin American country's history.

The doodle was created by American artist Sophie Diao who has previously portrayed Sylvia Plath and Dolores Olmedo.

Who was Matilde Hidalgo de Procel?

Born in Loja in 1889, Hidalgo de Procel was the youngest of six children and was raised by her widowed seamstress mother.

Hidalgo de Procel demonstrated a prodigious talent from a young age and upon graduating from sixth grade she voiced her desire to attend high school to her brother Antonio.

Matilde was eventually granted access to Colegio Bernardo Valdivieso where she became the first Ecuadorian female to graduate from a high school, despite being ostracised by her peers and the local church.

Hidalgo de Procel married lawyer Fernando Procel two years later with whom she had two children.

A career of firsts

Three years after her graduation Hidalgo de Procel clashed with the government when she voiced her desire to vote at the 1924 presidential election.

Hidalgo de Procel argued that Ecuador's Constitution makes no mention of gender as a requirement for voting - only citizenship, age, and literacy.

Her eligibility to vote was confirmed by unanimous vote and the then-35-year-old became the first female in South American history to exercise a constitutional right to vote, paving the way for millions of women.

Hidalgo de Procel wasn't done breaking down barriers just yet, however. In 1941 she became the country's first elected female official.

Since her death in 1974 a museum has been established in her memory in her hometown, Loja.