Juana de J. Sarmiento facts for kids
Juana de Jesús Sarmiento Ariza, known to many as Juana de J. Sarmiento (1899-1979), was a remarkable Colombian woman. She was a politician and an activist, meaning she worked hard to improve her community and fight for important causes. What makes her truly special is that she was the very first woman ever elected as a mayor of a town in Colombia. This was a huge step forward for women in leadership!
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Juana de J. Sarmiento: A Pioneer in Politics
Early Life and Her Start in Public Service
Juana was born in 1899 in a town called Sabanalarga, located in the Atlántico Department of Colombia. She began her journey in public service by helping to create and organize groups of citizens, known as civic committees, in her hometown. These committees worked together to solve local problems and make the community better.
In the 1930s, Juana took another big step. She started a women's organization called Colombia Democrática. She also became its president. This group was very important because it inspired other foundations led only by women to form across Colombia, especially in areas where coffee was grown.
Making History: The First Elected Mayor
In 1935, Juana helped found the Sociedad de Mejoras Públicas de Sabanalarga, a society focused on public improvements. Throughout the 1940s, she continued to lead campaigns. These campaigns helped her town and fought for the rights of women and people who were struggling.
Because of all her hard work, Juana became a well-known and respected person in Sabanalarga. Her political career grew stronger and stronger. Then, on May 15, 1951, something amazing happened: Juana de J. Sarmiento became the first elected mayor of a municipality in the entire history of Colombia! This was a truly historic moment for the country.
Later Years and Lasting Contributions
Even after her groundbreaking achievement, Juana continued to serve her community. In 1955, she was appointed Secretary of the Administrative Council for her town. This role meant she helped manage the town's daily operations.
In one of her final efforts to help others, Juana played a key role in building a nursing home during the 1970s. This shows her lifelong dedication to caring for people. Juana de J. Sarmiento passed away on May 25, 1979, at the age of 79. Her legacy as a pioneer for women in politics lives on.
See also
In Spanish: Juana de J. Sarmiento para niños
