In the first decades of the 20th century, one of the most prominent claims emerged from the social movements in favor of women's rights was their free access to the political arena. This was an issie of a highly ethical content, sice it was associated to the achievement of social happiness. Among the personalities fighting inthose times for that right, we find the outstanding and pioneering figure of the Spanish writer and politician Matilde de la Torre. In her essays (Jardín de damas curiosas- Garden of enquiring ladies-, 1917) and press articles seres ("Eva legisladora" -Legislator Eve-, "Eva ciudadana" - Citizen Eve- and "Feminismo militante" - Engaged Feminism-, 1927-1931), she deepened into the necessity of accepting gender diversity. Those titles also argued in favor of women's right to assume political government responsibilities, always in terms of equality with men. She also pointed out the convenience of bringing female characteristics to the political exercise, so as the social governace could be enriched with new views and perspectives. The colse connection of this political consequences of women's vote approval. Furthermore, she contributed to women's political education, as other womaen writers of her time effectively did (remarkably, Arenal, Pardo Bazán, Carmen de Burgos, Lejárraga, Oyarzábal, Campoamor and Margarita Nelken).

Este ensayo se ha realizado en el marco del proyecto de investigación "Escrituras, imágenes y testimonio en las autoras hispánicas contemporáneas (1915-2015)" (FFI2015-63745-P).

Con autorización de la editorial para este capítulo.

Peer reviewed