Dr Mariana Bertola Plaque Unveiling

Thank you to everyone that joined us at the unveiling of the Little Italy Honor Walk Dr. Mariana Bertola plaque on the corner of Filbert and Stockton Streets.

The San Francisco Little Italy Honor Walk in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy, the Native Daughters of the Golden West and L’Donne d’Italia honor Dr. Mariana Bertola’s legacy as an Italian American pioneer in California. Bertola was a trailblazing educator, physician, and reformer who championed healthcare access for women and children, advocated for Italian-speaking patients, and led numerous philanthropic and women's organizations, making significant contributions to public health and women's rights.

DR. Mariana Bertola’s Legacy

Dr. Mariana Bertola, a pioneering Italian American physician, educator, and community leader, dedicated her life to serving women, children, and immigrant communities in San Francisco. After graduating from Stanford's Cooper Medical College in 1899, she became a prominent obstetrician, delivering over 3,000 babies in her North Beach practice over 33 years. Dr. Bertola championed the “California Plan,” which advocated for maternity and children’s wards in every county hospital, demonstrating her commitment to accessible healthcare for all.

Beyond medicine, Bertola tirelessly supported social reform. She played a pivotal role in establishing juvenile court systems, serving on the Women’s Auxiliary of the Juvenile Court, and held leadership roles in women’s organizations, including as Director of the Women’s Board for the Panama-Pacific Exposition. In 1909, she founded the Vittoria Colonna Club (VCC), a trailblazing organization dedicated to the welfare and political empowerment of Italian American women. Through the VCC, Bertola advocated for women’s suffrage and helped integrate Italian immigrants into San Francisco's civic life. Under her leadership, the VCC became a powerful force, aligning with the California Federation of Women’s Clubs to gain political influence and support immigrant assimilation.

Dr. Bertola’s legacy lives on as an inspiring example of compassionate leadership, bridging cultural heritage with American progress, and tirelessly advocating for the underserved. Her work left an indelible mark on California’s medical, civic, and Italian American communities.