Aleen cust biography
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In truth, she was equal in skill to her male counterpart, and eventually, the locals accepted her because of her expertise and compassion for all animals.
In 1915, as World War I tore across Europe, Aleen learned that the fledgling British Army Veterinary Corps was stationed in Abbeville, France, near a new YMCA chapter.
I’m sure she was fuming.
Some people might have quit at this point, but not Aleen. To this day, no grave bearing her name can be found. The Aleen Cust Memorial Society are currently undertaking work to find her grave and to ensure that a fitting memorial is erected there: (opens in a new window)https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/search-for-the-grave-of-trailblazing-but-largely-forgotten-first-woman-to-qualify-as-vet-in-ireland-or-britain-40891361.html
For twenty-two years, Aleen Cust single-handedly fought the veterinary and political establishments and yet history has forgotten her. The Aleen Cust Memorial Society has been established in an effort to change that. The Society is a small group of retired or semi-retired veterinary surgeons who have come together with a single mission - to remember a very courageous and determined Irish woman.
Next year is the centenary year of Aleen’s admittance to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Society are working on a number of events and initiatives to commemorate her name:
- A feature on Aleen Cust on RTE Nationwide shown on 5 November and now available on the (opens in a new window)RTE Player
- A stamp in memory of this extraordinary lady
- A whiskey in her name at McAllister Distilleries which will open in Ahascragh in 2022
- A series of projects by Transition Year students in the local schools of Galway, Roscommon and Tipperary
- An invitation to individuals or community groups who may have additional information to help with giving Aleen a voice
- A story map of routes or trails where she would have ridden to her work
- Veterinary events around the country
- An international conference and exhibition in 2022
The Aleen Cust Memorial Society can be contacted through (opens in a new window)[email protected]
Updates on events will be posted on the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine website and social media channels as they are confirmed.
Aleen Cust: Trailblazing Veterinarian
by Linda Harris Sittig
Some children go through a phase of wanting a horse.
Apparently, the admissions office never considered that the student registering was female.
She studied there for six years, earning the highest scores and top grades, despite being the only female student. She completed her veterinary studies in 1897, winning the gold medal for zoology, but was denied permission to sit the final examination and consequently was not admitted as a member of Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Aleen Isabel Cust MRCVS (1868 - 1937)
Biography
Aleen Cust MRCVS was born in Ireland.
First woman veterinary surgeon in Great Britain or Ireland
Aleen Isabel Cust was born on 7 February 1868 in Cordangan Manor, County Tipperary, Ireland[1]. However, when it was time for Aleen to sit for her final exams to receive a certificate from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, her application for the exams was denied because the term ‘student’ applied only to males; therefore, she was ineligible to sit for the exam or become certified as a surgeon.
Instead, she dedicated her life to caring for animals.
She served in the 1st World War with the Queen Mary´s Army Auxiliary Corps. Two years later, she was working exclusively with the Queen Mary Army Auxiliary Corps.
But her big break came in 1919 when Parliament passed the Sex Disqualification Act, which prohibited women from being barred from any profession.
Aleen wanted nothing of the sort. Even at a young age, Aleen set her sights on becoming an animal doctor.
However, this was the Edwardian age in England, and girls from respectable families were encouraged to be presented at Court in hopes of being introduced to society and securing good marital prospects.
On graduation day from Edinburgh, she received her diploma, but had to watch all the male students receive their professional certificates as well.
Her mother Charlotte Sobieske Isabel (née Bridgeman) was the daughter of Vice-Admiral Charles Orlando Bridgeman, and granddaughter of Orlando Bridgeman, 1st Earl of Bradford and Sir Henry Chamberlain, 1st Baronet. That dream became her lifelong goal when she decided to become a veterinary surgeon.
In the latter half of the 1800s, veterinary surgeons were a profession reserved for men in Britain.
Aleen faced discrimination and discredit for decades, but refused to give up. I am sure each of them whispered a thank you to Aleen.
If you enjoyed reading about Aleen Cust, then check out the historical fiction novel based on her life: The Invincible Miss Cust by Penny Haw. Available online and in bookstores.
Sources
- ↑Irish Genealogy Birth of ALEEN CUST in 1868 (with image)
- ↑England and Wales Census, 1891: FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WCNP-N3Z : Sun Mar 10 14:35:09 UTC 2024), Entry for Isabel Cust and Aleen Cust, 1891.
- ↑England and Wales, Census, 1901: Database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XS9X-T2X : 5 August 2022), Aleen Isabel Cust, Falloden, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom; from "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
Eventually, the British Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons awarded her a diploma of membership.
Aleen Cust became Britain and Ireland’s first officially recognized veterinary surgeon in 1922. Company: WO 329
Aleen Cust MRCVS was awarded the British War Medal.
Aleen Cust MRCVS was awarded the Victory Medal.
Aleen was entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Aleen soaked up all the math and science she could that would be useful knowledge for a veterinary surgeon.