Dr. Maria Montessori
Born in Italy, in 1870, Maria Montessori became the first female physician in Italy after graduating from medical school. She also held degrees in engineering and anthropology. Her clinical work led her to observe how children learn. What she discovered was learning is a natural process by which children develop themselves according to what is in their environment.
The discovery affected her so deeply she spent the rest of her life reforming education and being an advocate for children and their roll in educating the human potential.
Near the end of her life she was nominated three separate times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Today her work is carried on through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), which she founded in 1929.
