Doris Benegas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doris Benegas
|
|
|---|---|
Doris Benegas during a rally in Barcelona, 2009
|
|
| Born |
Doris Benegas Haddad
1951 Caracas, Venezuela
|
| Died | 29 July 2016 (aged 64–65) Valladolid, Spain
|
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician |
| Known for | Leader of the Izquierda Castellana party |
| Political party | Castilian Left |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | José Benegas-Echeverría Doris Haddad |
| Relatives | José María Benegas (brother) |
Doris Benegas Haddad (1951 – 29 July 2016) was a Spanish lawyer and political leader. She was known for her work in law, especially helping women and people involved in political movements. Doris also led a political group called the Castilian Left from 2002 until she passed away in 2016.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Doris Benegas was born in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1951. Her father, José María Benegas Echeverría, was a politician from the Basque Country in Spain. He had to leave Spain in 1939 after the Spanish Civil War. Her mother, Doris Haddad, came from Lebanon.
In 1956, her family moved back to the Basque Country in Spain. When she was 13, in 1964, Doris went to high school in Bayonne, which is in the French part of the Basque Country. She returned to Spain in 1969 to study law at the University of the Basque Country.
In 1972, Doris moved to Valladolid. She started working at a car factory there. She took part in workers' protests and lost her job because of it. She also joined a political group and was watched by the police. In 1973, she was arrested for her political activities. Doris finished her law degree and became a lawyer in Valladolid in 1975.
Her Work as a Lawyer
After becoming a lawyer, Doris Benegas opened her own law office in Valladolid. She mostly worked on cases involving people accused of crimes. She also helped women who had experienced violence. She defended people who were involved in political activism.
Doris also helped families affected by a serious illness caused by contaminated cooking oil. She represented families of people who were victims during the time of Francisco Franco's rule in Spain. She also supported people from the Basque Country who were in prison for political reasons.
Doris was very dedicated to helping women. In 1993, she helped start the Association of Women Lawyers of Valladolid. She also created other groups for women lawyers and a feminist group called Women of Valladolid. She often spoke about how laws could better protect women's rights.
In her later years, she worked with groups that helped people who were very ill. She also helped people who were losing their homes. She did this through a group called Stop Desahucios (which means "Stop Evictions") in Valladolid.
Her Political Journey
After finishing her law studies, Doris Benegas became a leader in a political group in Castile and León. In 1976, she helped organize a public event to celebrate Castile and León Day. About 400 people gathered, but the police broke up the meeting. The next year, nearly 20,000 people attended the same event.
In 1983, she was important in forming the Castilian Popular Unity party. In 2000, this party joined with others to become the Castilian Left party. Doris was the leader of the Castilian Left from 2002 until her death in 2016.
Doris ran for Mayor of Valladolid twice, in 1979 and 1983.
In 2012, Doris Benegas was arrested because police thought she helped organize a protest called Rodea el Congreso (Surround the Congress). In 2014, she and another person sued government officials for banning certain symbols during a royal event. The next month, Doris and other protesters were arrested at a protest in Madrid. They were held for 24 hours. Doris believed they were arrested because of the lawsuit she had filed.
Family Connections
Doris Benegas had a brother named Txiki Benegas. He was also a politician and served in the Spanish Parliament for many years.
Her nephew, Pablo Benegas, is a musician and guitarist in the band La Oreja de Van Gogh. Her sister, Ana Benegas, was also a songwriter.
A Basque politician named Iñaki Anasagasti was a family friend when Doris was young.
Her husband, Luis Ocampo, was the general secretary of the Castilian Left party.
Later Life and Legacy
Doris Benegas passed away in Valladolid on 29 July 2016. She had been ill for several months due to a tumor. She is survived by her daughter.
See also
In Spanish: Doris Benegas para niños
