Margarita de Mayo Izarra facts for kids

Margarita de Mayo Izarra (born July 20, 1889 – died 1969) was a Spanish writer, teacher, and journalist. She was known for her work in education and for sharing information about American life with Spanish readers.

Early Teaching Career

Margarita de Mayo started her career as a teacher. After finishing her studies in Primary Higher Education, she taught at a special school for girls. This school was in a town called Valdepeñas in Spain. She worked there from 1914 to 1918, helping young girls learn and grow.

Working with Educational Boards

In the middle of 1918, Margarita began working for an important group called the Junta para Ampliación de Estudios e Investigaciones Científicas (JAE). This group focused on expanding studies and scientific research in Spain.

From late 1918 until 1924, she was in charge of teaching in the preparatory section of the Instituto-Escuela. This was a special school that aimed to modernize education in Spain.

Studies Abroad

Margarita de Mayo was very dedicated to her own learning. In 1921, she received scholarships that allowed her to study in Great Britain. She earned a place at King's College for Women in London, which was a big achievement.

In 1924, the JAE supported her again, sending her to Vassar College in New York, USA. She loved it there so much that she became a permanent member of the Spanish Department. She taught at Vassar College until she retired in 1956. For a time, she also worked as an instructor at the University of Illinois.

Journalism and Writing

Besides teaching, Margarita de Mayo was also a talented journalist. She started writing for newspapers and magazines in the 1930s. Her articles appeared in smaller, local publications like El Bien Público and La Correspondencia Militar.

She often signed her articles as M. de Mayo Izarra. In her writings, she aimed to introduce Spanish readers to American cities like New York. She also wrote about the American way of life, helping people in Spain understand more about the United States.

Published Works

Margarita de Mayo wrote several books and edited others. Here are some of her notable works:

• Lluvia de Hijos: farsa cómica en tres actos (1915) - A comic play in three acts.
• Nuestros prosistas y poetas - About Spanish writers and poets.
• Galdós (selección de textos por Margarita de Mayo) (1922) - A selection of texts by the famous writer Galdós, chosen by Margarita de Mayo.
• Tradiciones y leyendas de Toledo - About the traditions and legends of the city of Toledo in Spain.
• "Planes de trabajo" para la JAE (1925) - Work plans for the JAE.
• Obras de Benito Pérez Galdós (edición literaria a cargo de Margarita de Mayo) (1935) - A literary edition of works by Benito Pérez Galdós, edited by Margarita de Mayo.

See also

In Spanish: Margarita de Mayo Izarra para niños