This Saturday, March 8, marks International Women’s Day. That’s why we’ve prepared a guide full of themed activities. However, we didn’t want to stop there, so we decided to dedicate an article to some of the Portuguese women who have left a significant legacy.
From singers to actresses, not forgetting sportspeople and other figures, each of these women has made a mark on our history. As such, they deserve to be remembered. Did you know all these personalities?
Table Of Contents
- Carolina Beatriz Ângelo (1878 - 1911)
- Florbela Espanca (1894 - 1930)
- Maria Helena Vieira da Silva (1908 - 1992)
- Brites de Almeida (1350)
- Amália Rodrigues (1920 - 1999)
- Beatriz Costa (1907 - 1996)
- Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (1919 - 2004)
- Rosa Mota (1958)
- Eunice Muñoz (1928-2022)
- Elvira Fortunato (1963)
Carolina Beatriz Ângelo (1878 – 1911)
She was one of the first Portuguese women of her time in many ways. The first doctor to operate at the São José Hospital in Lisbon, the first woman to be considered “head of the family”, and above all, the first woman to vote in 1911!
Carolina Beatriz Ângelo was asuffragette, a feminist and way ahead of her time.
Florbela Espanca (1894 – 1930)
With a troubled life full of feeling, Florbela Espanca was one of our country’s greatest poets and therefore also one of the most important Portuguese women of all time.
In her short life, she wrote some of the most beautiful poems and short stories that have remained in our memory, important for their lyrical, feminine and somewhat erotic content.
Maria Helena Vieira da Silva (1908 – 1992)
Better known by her nickname, Vieira da Silva was a Portuguese painter, illustrator and sculptor.
Having greatly influenced Portuguese art with her own artistic current, she remained true to herself, not following other currents with which she lived.
She married fellow artist Arpad Szenes, with whom she shared art projects.
Brites de Almeida (1350)
Our Padeira de Aljubarrota was a legendary figure, considered a heroine in the Battle of Aljubarrota, against the Castilian forces.
According to the story, Brites was known for killing seven Castilians who were hiding in a bread oven, using only her baker’s shovel.
If this isn’t being one of the fightingest Portuguese women ever, we don’t know what is.
Amália Rodrigues (1920 – 1999)
She became the Queen of Fado and is regarded as one of Fado’s ambassadors throughout the world.
Amália’s legacy is still widely regarded and adored by everyone today, such was her talent.
Nowadays, you can hear her on the streets of Lisbon, especially during Santos Populares, and pay homage at the National Pantheon, where she is buried.
Beatriz Costa (1907 – 1996)
Actress and icon of popular culture, she became famous with the movie “A Canção de Lisboa”, in which she acted alongside Vasco Santana and António Silva.
She starred in other cult Portuguese films, such as “Aldeia da Roupa Branca”, which was her last.
From 1960 onwards, he began to travel the world, meeting important personalities such as Salvador Dali, Greta Garbo and Edith Piaf.
After his travels, he also dedicated himself to writing about his fabulous life while living at the Tivoli Hotel in Lisbon.
Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (1919 – 2004)
Writer and poet, Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen was the first woman to receive the Camões Prize, which is to Portuguese literature what the Nobel Prize is to peace.
In addition to her lyrics, she wrote many beautiful and important short stories for children, such as “The Girl from the Sea”, “The Knight of Denmark” and “The Oriana Fairy”.
He has been in the National Pantheon since 2014, and his poems are still out there for everyone to read.
Rosa Mota (1958)
She is a former Portuguese athlete, known mainly for being an Olympic, European and world champion in the marathon.
She represented the country at the Olympic Games and was considered the best marathon runner ever!
The Portuguese people affectionately refer to Rosa as “our Rosinha”, considering her to be one of the most important athletes of the 20th century.
Eunice Muñoz (1928-2022)
Coming from a family of actors, Eunice Muñoz was one of the best Portuguese actresses of all time.
She acted in theater, cinema and television, and her biography is vast and (almost) endless, full of talent on all sides.
She was a much-loved personality in the country, respected and praised by everyone.
Elvira Fortunato (1963)
The youngest woman on our list is a brilliant scientist and world expert in electronic paper engineering.
She developed the first paper-based transistor, as well as memories, screens, batteries and more.
In 2010, she received the title of Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator.
