Miguelina Aurora Acosta Cárdenas (November 23, 1887 - October 26, 1933) was an anarchist, lawyer and teacher from Peru. She defended the rights of women, workers and indigenous people in early 20th century Peru. She is also notable for being the first woman to become a trial lawyer in Peru, as well as the first women to open a legal practice and graduate law.
Biography[]
Born in Yurimaguas in 1887 to a rubber tapper. She traveled and studied in Western Europe, where she began to take note of progressive ideas. Upon returning to Peru, she went to university in Lima, studying literature, law and political science. She faced sexism from both teachers and classmates, notably not being able to access university as her high school completion was not recognized. She graduated in 1920 and worked as a teacher before setting up her own legal practice, which supported workers and women.
She was President of the Federation of Peruvian University Women as well as being a member of the Pro-Indigenous Association and Feminist Labor Society. She supported strikes carried out in Peru in 1919 for the 8 hour day, whilst disagreeing with some of Jose Carlos Mariategui, who is commonly considered the founding father of communism in Peru.
She died in 1933 after a bad operation by a dentist caused her to develop an infection.
Posthumous recognition[]
In 2022, the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Population awarded her the Order of Merti for Women along with 24 other women from Peru's history.
References[]
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguelina_Acosta_C%C3%A1rdenas and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguelina_Acosta_C%C3%A1rdenas