On March 8, the “International Women's Day” is celebrated - by agreement of the general assembly of the United Nations Organization (1977) - in order to remember the efforts of those who fought to achieve equality, justice, peace and development.
The history of this anniversary has its origins in various events. One of them is when a group of New York seamstresses who, supported by their union, occupied the textile factory where they worked to demand parity of wages and a ten-hour workday (1857). This movement ended with a fire and the death of 146 workers.
Later this commemoration is proposed by the German Clara Zetkin (1910) - member of the International Union of Garment Workers - at the International Congress of Socialist Women held in Copenhagen (Denmark). She had participated in favor of women in 1886 and attended the Congress of the Second Socialist International in Paris, assuming the right of ladies to work and to intervene in national and international affairs. Also, it demanded the protection of mothers and girls.
On March 8, 1917, in Russia - as a consequence of food shortages - women mutinied and marked the beginning of the Bolshevik revolution that led to the fall of Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of a provisional government that, by First time, it gave the adult the power to vote. Due to the relevance of this event, that date was placed -in the Gregorian calendar- as International Day of Working Women.
Decades have passed and with satisfaction we observe their achievements and, especially, their successful insertion in the various tasks of human activity. His progress opens a field of new achievements and skills not only in the professional world. As former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said: "As soon as women are granted equality with men, they become superior to him."
Throughout history there are ladies of meritorious artistic, pedagogical, political and social fame deserving of our evocation in this circumstance. A lesson in existence that constitute referents of entrepreneurship and improvement in a still hostile and adverse environment. Following is an account of the legacy of several of them to which I pay tribute.
The controversial María Kodama, partner of the great writer Jorge Luis Borges, her confidant, secretary and, finally, her consort. She collaborated in the elaboration of her books "Brief Anglo-Saxon Anthology" and "Atlas", testimonies of the trips of both around the world; Indira Ghandi, statesman, political strategist, active fighter for the independence of India - led by Mahatma Gandhi- and Prime Minister; Manuela Sáenz - known as the "Liberator of the Liberator" - the sentimental partner of Simón Bolívar who saved him from death, remained by his side in the deed of Junín and in his death in Santa Marta. Ricardo Palma treated her and collected her experiences for the "Peruvian Traditions"
I have respect for the widow of the Nicaraguan journalist and leader of the Democratic Liberation Union, Pedro Joaquín Chamorro, who was assassinated when - from the newspaper La Prensa in Managua - he was fighting the tyranny of Anastasio Somoza. His wife Violeta Barrios, of exemplary and firm temper, joined the Government Board of National Reconstruction when the revolution of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (1979) triumphed. She was elected president of Nicaragua in 1990.
In the 19th century, Peru had two self-taught rebels, pioneers of journalism, letters and tireless criticism of conservative absolutisms: Clorinda Matto de Turner and Mercedes Cabello de Carbonera. The writer María Emma Mannarelli refers: “… Each one faced the servile and tutelary powers; servitude and military caudillismo. Both women ended their lives in a way that speaks volumes about what was happening to them: Matto in exile and Cabello in the asylum. "
Matto de Turner led the gazette "La Bolsa" in Arequipa (she is the first woman to run a newspaper in South America), she owned the printing press "La Equitiva" and author of the famous novel "Aves sin nido" (1889). A true editorial success in which he formulates an analysis of education and the Indian. For her part, Cabello in her book "Blanca sol" (1889) questions marriages for convenience and breaks the keys to the exercise of power in the country. Mannarelli states: "… It was particularly important to see who married whom." Columnist Ismael Pinto in his publication "Without forgiveness and without forgetting", states: "… (Hair) questions the education of the time. In his article 'An industry for women', he proposes that she could study medicine, photography, printing, among other things ”.
Other areas have had the contribution of prominent female exponents who left their mark. Juana Larco de Dammert, promoter of the "Drop of Milk" campaign, now known as a glass of milk. It started –at the beginning of the 20th century- what are currently called nurseries and mothers' clubs. She was sensitive, supportive and brave.
Magda Portal, poet recognized by the Peruvian intelligentsia. José Carlos Mariátegui described her verses as a poetic and renovating voice. Founder of the Peruvian Aprista Party, impetuous, enlightened and avant-garde in a period when her role was marginal; Blanca Varela González, considered one of the most notable poets in this part of the continent; Doris Gibson Parra del Riego (daughter of playwright Percy Gibson Moller), seasoned editor, founder of Caretas magazine and defender of freedom of expression. Her fierce and temperamental character - as my father referred when she was an official of said weekly newspaper - made it easier for her to face military censorship during the 1970s.
An exceptional fellow citizen was Violeta Correa Miller. Reporter, secretary and wife of President Fernando Belaunde Terry. First lady (1980-1985), discreet, simple and consistent with her democratic convictions; Rosa “Mocha” Graña Garland, multifaceted, lady of art and culture, whom I had the pleasure to meet. Their experiences denoted depth and passion. For some, Mocha was the last “covered” in Lima; Isabel “Chabuca” Granda y Larco, singer-songwriter and folklorist who offered an infinity of Creole waltzes and author of “La flor de la canela”.
My consideration for César Vallejo inspires me to allude to his widow, the complicated and unpredictable French Georgette Marie Philippart, who shared her vision of the old continent, her literary adventures and suffering. Following in her footsteps, Georgina came to Peru to spend her last years. He cultivated friendship with Raúl Porras Barrenechea, Arturo Salazar Bondy, Mario Vargas Llosa and Pablo Macera, among others. She died entrenched in her incessant quarrel for enforcing the spirit and work of the poet from Santiago de Chuco.
We Peruvians will always have a debt of gratitude to the German mathematician María Reiche, famous researcher of the enigmatic Nazca lines. Her perseverance and dedication to examining the drawings of the southern pampas earned her national admiration. She received late honors and little support in her labors; contemporary historians Mariana Mold de Pease and María Rostworowski Diez Canseco, renowned and diligent thinkers. Their approaches to our past offer us a profound interpretation; the painter Gabriela León Velarde, the only compatriot who exhibits her portraits in the Vatican Museum for having won the Holy See contest (1975) to illustrate the cover of the book commemorating the beatification of Juan Masías.
Doña Margarita Biber Poillevard, spouse of the wise Javier Pulgar Vidal. Charming, lucid, educated lady, Doctor of Education, meticulous compiler and student of her husband's invaluable scientific mission. I have an immense affection enriched by the good times coincided with Javier. Talking with Margarita is pleasant and reminds me of my encounters with this unforgettable teacher and friend.
These final lines are dedicated to a special lady: my mother. An inseparable companion who understands, encourages and assists the future of my life with a stoic patience that I will not be able to thank. Her love and exalting encouragement bring renewed illusions and brilliance to my existence. Happy International Women's Day!
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(*) Teacher, consultant in event organization, protocol, professional image and social etiquette.
