Feminismo!: The Woman's Movement in Argentina from Its Beginnings to Eva Perón

This book traces the Argentine Woman's movement and describes the individuals in its vanguard: women as different in personality and political orientation as the socialist activist Dr. Alicia Moreau de Justo, the international literary figure Victoria Ocampo and the legendary Eva Peron.The story begins with a background sketch of Argentine history, spanning four centuries from the "conquistadores" to the Perons. It describes the participation of upper class women in the country's philanthropic establishment thought the Beneficent Society, founded in the early nineteenth century; the development of the public education system- considered the best in Latin America- through the strong contribution of North American female teachers; and the influence of nineteenth century free thought and socialism upon woman's movement. Despite the broadening of education and the positive effect of European immigration upon Argentine institutions, it was not until the middle of the twentieth century that woman suffrage was finally achieved - by a bizarre twist of fate through the efforts of the Peron regime, and to the outrage and consternation of most Argentine feminists.