Consuelo Zavala facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Consuelo Zavala Castillo
bust of Consuelo Zavala Castillo, Mérida, Mexico
Born	1874 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
Died	22 June 1956 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
Nationality	Mexican
Occupation	Educator, feminist
Known for	Organized the first feminist congress of Mexico; founded first professional kindergarten in Yucatán

Consuelo Zavala Castillo (born 1874, died 1956) was an important Mexican teacher and a champion for women's rights. She started one of the first private schools in Mérida, Mexico, that taught modern, non-religious subjects. Consuelo also opened the first kindergarten in Mérida that used the special Froebel teaching method. She was a key person in organizing the very first meeting in Mexico to discuss women's rights, called the First Feminist Congress.

Who Was Consuelo Zavala Castillo?

Consuelo Zavala Castillo was born in 1874 in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. She went to school at the Instituto Literario de Niñas, which means "Literary Institute for Girls." There, she learned from a famous teacher and women's rights supporter named Rita Cetina Gutiérrez.

Her Start as a Teacher

When she was 23, Consuelo finished her studies. She earned a degree in both elementary and higher education. After teaching at different schools, she decided to open her own school in 1902. Her school focused on teaching modern, scientific subjects. It was also a "secular" school, meaning it was not connected to any religion.

In 1904, Consuelo took part in a big meeting about primary education. This showed her strong interest in improving how children learned.

Pioneering Kindergartens

In 1906, Consuelo Zavala Castillo started the first professional kindergarten in Yucatán. She used the "Froebel method," a special way of teaching young children. This method helps kids learn through play and creative activities.

Later, in 1912, the Mexican president Francisco I. Madero asked her to travel to France. He wanted her to learn about new teaching ideas in Europe.

Championing Women's Rights

Consuelo Zavala Castillo played a huge role in the fight for women's rights in Mexico.

Organizing the First Feminist Congress

In 1916, she led the committee that organized the First Feminist Congress in Mexico. This big meeting was approved by the Governor of Yucatán, Salvador Alvarado. Many important topics were discussed at the meeting in January.

The main topic was "suffrage," which means the right to vote. They also talked about women's education and their roles as wives and mothers. Another important discussion was about women's rights to divorce.

When a second congress was held later that year, Consuelo did not attend. She was surprised by how much opposition there was to the ideas discussed at the first meeting.

Joining the Feminist League

In 1922, Consuelo helped start the Feminist League of Yucatán. She worked with other strong women like Elvia Carrillo Puerto, Raquel Dzib Cicero, Rosa Torre González, Beatríz Peniche de Ponce, and Adolfina Valencia. This group was part of the Socialist Party of the Southeast.

Inspiring Future Generations

Consuelo's teaching had a lasting impact. In 1939, one of her students, Antonia Jiménez Trava, made history. Antonia became the first woman in Yucatán to earn a law degree.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1948, Consuelo Zavala Castillo received a special award. It was called the Ignacio Manuel Altamirano Medal. This award recognized her 50 years as a dedicated educator and her amazing teaching career.

Consuelo passed away on June 22, 1956, in Mérida.

Today, six schools in Mexico are named after her. Three are in Mérida, and others are in Akil, Yucatán, Kanasín, and Tizimín. This shows how much she is remembered for her contributions to education and women's rights.

See also

In Spanish: Consuelo Zavala para niños