Carolina Beatriz Ângelo (1878–1911): A visionary Portuguese woman who fought for women's rights at the beginning of the 20th century
Cristina C. Vieira
University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences; University of Algarve, Centre for the Research on Adult Education and Community Intervention (CEAD), Portugalhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9814-1076
Abstract
This article introduces a pioneering Portuguese woman who fought for women's rights in the early 20th century. Carolina Beatriz Angelo (1878–1911) was a doctor, the first female surgeon and the first woman to have the right to vote. This was because she was a widow, and the 1911 law did not specify that only male 'heads of household' could vote. Through her work as a gynecologist and her involvement in the pro-democracy movement, she campaigned for the political and social rights of women in her time. In a poor, illiterate country, she was ahead of her time and faced setbacks in her activism due to political turmoil. Her example, as a professional and an activist from a privileged social class who did not forget the poorest and least educated women, was fundamental to the women's movement in Portugal from the early 20th century onwards. However, there was considerable resistance following the establishment of the dictatorial regime in 1926, which lasted until the Carnation Revolution in April 1974. The legacy of this woman maintains and inspires the continuation of feminist political action by various women's groups today. This collective action is all the more urgent given that radical and populist movements are growing in Portugal too, threatening inalienable rights that we thought were beyond reproach.
Keywords:
Carolina Beatriz Ângelo, women's rights in Portugal, activism for political and social rights, adult education, suffrage movement, First Portuguese RepublicReferences
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University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences; University of Algarve, Centre for the Research on Adult Education and Community Intervention (CEAD), Portugal
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9814-1076
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