Beatriz Peniche Barrera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beatriz Peniche Barrera
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Beatriz Peniche de Ponce circa 1924
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| Born | 7 November 1893 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
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| Died | November 27, 1976 (aged 83) Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
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| Nationality | Mexican |
| Other names | Beatríz Peniche Barrera de Ponce, Beatriz Peniche de Ponce |
| Occupation | educator, poet, feminist |
| Known for | One of the first 3 female elected politicians in Mexico |
Beatriz Peniche Barrera (1893–1976) was an important Mexican writer, teacher, and a champion for women's rights, known as a feminist. She was a key leader in the Socialist Party of the Southeast. What makes her truly special is that she was one of the first three women ever elected to a government position in Mexico! She also worked with many writers and poets from Mexico and Cuba, creating lots of published works.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Beatriz Peniche Barrera was born in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, on November 7, 1893. From a young age, she loved music and poetry. She took lessons for piano and mandolin. She also studied at the Instituto Literario de Niñas (Literary Institute for Girls). This school was led by Rita Cetina Gutiérrez, a famous educator. In 1913, Beatriz became a qualified teacher. She started working as an elementary teacher for girls.
Becoming a Leader
Soon after 1915, a new governor named Salvador Alvarado came to Yucatán. He appointed Beatriz as the Director of the Manuel Cepeda Library. In 1916, she took part in the First Feminist Congress of Yucatán. This important meeting happened in Mérida and was organized by Governor Alvarado.
In 1922, Beatriz helped start the Feminist League of Yucatán. This group was part of the Socialist Party of the Southeast. She worked alongside other strong women like Elvia Carrillo Puerto and Rosa Torre González. In 1923, with Governor Felipe Carrillo Puerto's help, Beatriz organized a meeting for journalists in Mérida.
First Women in Government
On November 18, 1923, something amazing happened. Three women from the Liga Rita Cetina Gutierrez (Rita Cetina Gutiérrez League) were elected to the local government. They were candidates for the Socialist Party of the Southeast. Beatriz Peniche Barrera was elected to represent a part of Mérida. Elvia Carrillo Puerto was elected in Izamal, and Raquel Dzib Cicero was elected in another part of Mérida.
This was a huge step for women in Mexico! However, their time in government was short. Governor Carrillo Puerto was sadly killed in 1924. After this, the elected women were forced out of their positions.
Writing and Later Life
After leaving government, Beatriz was invited to Cuba by a group of writers. She arrived on April 6, 1925, and stayed for about a year. She continued to visit Cuba often, sometimes for many months. Her writings from this time appeared in Cuban newspapers and magazines.
In 1931, Beatriz helped create the Diario del Sureste (Journal of the Southeast). This was part of a project to open new newspapers in Yucatán. Around 1943, she and other local writers started a literary group called Juana de Asbaje. Throughout her life, Beatriz published many poems and articles. She sometimes used her own name and sometimes used pen names like "Miosotis" and "Betty." She also wrote a regular column called Prismas (Prisms), which appeared in many publications.
Beatriz married a fellow poet named Miguel Ponce Casares in 1915. They had a daughter named Yolanda. Beatriz Peniche Barrera passed away on November 27, 1976.
Selected Works
- Lámpara Encendida (1970)
- Beatriz Peniche de Ponce: poesías (1996)
- Poesías (La huella del viento) (1996)
See also
In Spanish: Beatriz Peniche Barrera para niños
