Emblematic women in Peruvian history

 Many talented, brave and strong Peruvian women have left an important mark on Peruvian society. They have been an integral part of every moment of the country’s history. Although women have experienced a vast amount of discrimination and inequality, they have contributed greatly to the country's growth and formation. Incredible, influential Peruvian women have left lasting legacies in various fields of art and science as well as have acted as leaders of social movements that have revolutionized history. We have put five inspiring and important women in the history of Peru in the spotlight:

ROXANA QUISPE COLLANTES

Roxana Quispe Collantes not only fought with the misogynist comments of being a woman in the oldest university of Americas ´Universidad Mayor de San Marcos´ where the 70% of their students are men, also without any privilege she fought to give a position in the world to their underestimated mother language ‘Quechua’. Even though it is spoken by 8 million people, half of them Peruvian, this admirable woman is the first person in the world to write and defend her thesis in Quechua. She also added in the beginning of her presentation a traditional ceremony using coca leaves and the corn-made alcoholic drink Inca.

MARIA LUISA AGUILAR

María Luisa Aguilar Hurtado, was the first professional astronomer of Peru, She studied at the Institute of Mathematics and Physics of the National University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru and graduated as an astronomer from the National University of La Plata, Argentina. In 1981, motivated to develop astronomy at a professional level, she was recognized as a Member of the International Astronomical Union, being part of commission 46 Astronomy Education and Development, and commission C1 WG Network for Astronomy School Education (NASE). She was also a collaborator in science and astronomy topics in Sunday's supplement of the Peruvian newspaper "El Comercio" between 1999 and 2000. Shortly after founding “Viernes Astronómicos”, she was offered a position at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. From there she continued to insist on the popularization of science and created the Astronomy and Astrophysics Seminar of the National University of San Marcos in 1982, in which many young people interested in investigating the mysteries of space would be trained.

LILIANA MAYO ORTEGA

Yolanda Liliana Mayo Ortega is a peruvian psychologist specialized in special education with a PHD from the University of Kansas. In 1979 she founded the Ann Sullivan Centre from Peru where she is currently the general director of this institution, practices her speciality and also has served as a model for different initiatives. Since 1979 this non profit organization has offered a comprehensive education system to people with different abilities, such as autism, down syndrome or cerebral palsy. She has received the Reina Sofía Award for Rehabilitation and Integration, the Esteban Campodonico Figallo Award, the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International, the Alcatel Award for Innovation and the Order of the Sun of Peru in the Degree of Commander.

MARIA JESUS ALVARADO RIVERA

María Jesús Álvarado Rivera has been a woman who has positively influenced feminism in Peru, she fought for the rights of women and created a group called evolucion feminina in 1914, the purpose of this institution was the creation of public secondary schools so that women can study practical management of child care and good management of the home. I help provide industrial jobs for women ensuring at all times civil equality and their rights, in this way they have knowledge on how to manage their own finances.

CLORINDA MATTO DE TURNER

This woman, a writer born in Cuzco, was highly representative for our country, considered a precursor of Realism and the indigenous genre. She was a woman unafraid to write what she felt, independent, with knowledge of Physics, History and Philosophy. When she married Joseph Turner, they went to live in another town of Cuzco where she had to witness the mistreatment of the indigenous people and corruption, which is why she wrote her famous book "Birds without a nest". However, because of its content where she made known these events, the Catholic Church and part of the people were against her and her books were banned. In spite of this, Clorinda was an example and inspiration for many women for her way of writing and being in favor of the indigenous people. She wrote controversial novels such as ¨Índole¨ and ¨Herencia¨, however there were more important events that the writer made, among them, along with her brother founded the printing press ¨La equitativa¨ where only women worked. She also traveled to many countries and made contact with feminist organizations.

Here is just a small sample of inspiring and respected women in Peru and its history. We want to show our gratitude to all these women who have paved the way for women of future generations. Without them, Peru and the rest of the world would not be the same.




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