Created in 2008, the Ruth Cardoso Medal honors civil and military personalities, companies and public or private entities that stand out in the fight for women's rights. On April 6, 2022, Professor Rossana Pulcineli Vieira Francisco, of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), received the honor.

The award was given by the State Council for Women's Condition, at Palácio dos Bandeirantes, seat of the São Paulo government, and honored women in the areas of justice, social assistance, racial equality and women's health. The Medal Council unanimously decided to honor Prof. Rossana Pulcineli Vieira Francisco, who is also President of the FMUSP Research Commission, for the work she develops on the issue of gender, specifically on Violence Against Women.

“For me it is an immense emotion to be here with you at this moment receiving this medal that is named after someone who fought so hard so that we could have equality”, said Prof. Rossana in her speech at the event, alluding to the sociologist and former Brazilian first lady, Ruth Cardoso.

The Professor continued her talk by mentioning how she learned about equality from her father and mentioned family incentives. “It is with the support of my husband and my son that I go where I want. From my mother's example, I learned that women really go where they want to go and I have my daughter as my biggest inspiration to keep fighting”.

Finally, he shared the conquest by thanking the board of the Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the State of São Paulo, the doctors of the Hospital Universitário and Hospital das Clínicas of FMUSP, “who were extremely warriors in the care of pregnant and postpartum women during the Covid-19 pandemic. ”, and the technical area of ​​women's health at the São Paulo State Health Department.