Carlota Matienzo facts for kids

Carlota Matienzo Román (born in Barcelona, Spain, in 1881 – died in Queens, New York, in 1926) was an important Puerto Rican teacher and a strong supporter of women's rights. She is remembered for her efforts to improve the public school system in Puerto Rico. She also helped start important groups like the Puerto Rican Feminine League in 1917 and the Suffragist Social League in 1921, which worked for women's right to vote.

Early Life and Education

Carlota Matienzo Román was born in Barcelona, Spain. Her parents met and married there while her father was studying law. Her father, Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón, was from Puerto Rico. In the early 1880s, her family moved back to Puerto Rico and settled in Mayaguez. There, her father became a lawyer and got involved in politics. He was later elected to the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico in 1904.

In 1907, Carlota Matienzo was among the first students to graduate from the University of Puerto Rico. After that, she went to New York City to continue her studies. She studied philosophy at Columbia University. Later, she returned to Puerto Rico to become a teacher.

Working for Change

As a teacher, Carlota Matienzo worked hard to make the public school system better in Puerto Rico. She wanted all children, no matter their background, to have a chance to get an education.

She also cared deeply about other important issues. In 1917, she helped create the Puerto Rican Feminine League. This was the first group in Puerto Rico to focus on women's rights. Many of its founders, including Carlota, were teachers. During this time, women's rights groups were forming all over Latin America and in the United States.

In 1921, Carlota Matienzo was a founder when the group changed its name to the Suffragist Social League. This new group worked directly to get women the right to vote. Doctors, writers, and other smart women joined the League. Carlota helped organize big meetings in cities like San Juan, Ponce, Puerto Rico, and Arecibo. She was one of the leaders who spoke to the government about women's concerns. The League later joined with another group, the Popular Feminist Association of Working Women of Puerto Rico, to support voting rights for all women.

Carlota Matienzo Román remained a key member of the League until 1924. At that time, the group split into two parts, mainly because of differences in the political parties their leaders supported.

After this, Carlota Matienzo Román helped start the Women's Aid Society of Puerto Rico. In this new group, she worked directly to find solutions for problems that women faced in their daily lives.

Death

Carlota Matienzo Román passed away on July 31, 1926, in Queens, New York. She was buried in the Old Luquillo Municipal Cemetery in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.

Legacy and Honors

• The University of Puerto Rico honored Carlota Matienzo after her death. They named a building on campus after her. They also created the annual Carlota Matienzo Prize. This award goes to graduates who show great skill in teaching.
• In the late 1900s, Carlota Matienzo was one of 999 women chosen by American artist Judy Chicago. Her name was included in a famous art piece called The Dinner Party (1979), which was first shown at the Brooklyn Museum.

See also

In Spanish: Carlota Matienzo para niños