¡Feliz viernes a todos!
Don’t look now but we’ve already arrived in March! Three months into the new year and we are shifting from Black History to Herstory. As a starting point for the month, I thought it might be nice to open with a post that highlights many of the important Latin American women in history that could make their way into your classrooms this month! In this resource, Paola Capó-García collects brief histories of each of the several important women she introduces.
Aside from the ever popular Frida Kahlo and Sor Juana Inéz de la Cruz, whom we have discussed on the blog in years past, the featured resource also introduces less cited women in Latin American history, like Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo. Tying into our theme of activism in Latin America, Las Madres were the women in Argentina during the “Dirty Wars” who protested the disappearance of their children and grandchildren in front of the presidential palace.
Perhaps class discussion could showcase how Latin American women in history have also played an important role in activism and the fight for human rights. Following this same thought, Capó-García presents the Mirabal Sisters, who were activists in their fight against the Trujillo administration in the Dominican Republic in the 1940s. The Mirabal Sisters are now commemorated with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which is November 25th and the day of the Sisters’ deaths.
Since Capó-García’s article gives introductory details on many examples of important Latin American women, from colonial history up to contemporary times, we suggest using it to highlight just how influential women have been in history, even though they tend to be left out of the overall discussion of history. We hope this resource can help facilitate greater class discussion on women in Latin American history and who they are.
With warmest wishes,
Charla
Image. Photo of Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo. Retrieved from Las Madres y Las Abuelas.
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