Matilde Hidalgo was a heroine of Ecuadorian history. Here is her life story and all the records she broke
Born in Loja, Ecuador on September 29, 1889, Matilde Hidalgo de Procel was a South American woman who broke dozens of taboos and will forever be remembered for fighting for the recognition of women's rights. Becoming part of the history of her country, Matilde Hidalgo became a symbol for thousands of women who fought to have their rights recognized.
Why is the figure of Matilde Hidalgo so important?"
She was the first woman to exercise the right to vote in Ecuador, the first to receive a PhD and the first councilwoman elected to a city council. Through her struggles, Matilde Hidalgo allowed other women to engage in politics and enjoy their rights. A woman engaged in politics, but not only. Matilde Hidalgo was also a doctor and a poet, with more than twenty poems published in the book "Matilde Hidalgo of Procel, Biography and Book of Poems". These are texts written during her secondary school and university years.
The story of Matilde Hidalgo de Procel
A life marked by important achievements and bereavements that fortified her soul. Matilde Hidalgo de Procel was born in Loja, Ecuador on September 29, 1889. Her family consisted of five other brothers and sisters. Her adolescence is marked by the untimely death of her father, with her mother forced to work in order to raise her children.
The first difficulties with the outside world came when Matilde Hidalgo, after getting her middle school diploma, decided to continue studying. At the time, girls were not allowed to do so and the request sent to the Colegio Bernardo Valdivieso caused quite a stir. The reaction of the city was not the best and the women of the country forced their daughters not to make friends with her. Matilde, however, continued her struggle and graduated with honors. But that's not all. In 1921, she also received a PhD from the University of Cuenca, setting a record: being the first woman to obtain this title.
Three years later, Matilde began a new struggle: to become the first Ecuadorean woman to vote. And this time, too, she was successful: on June 9, 1924, she exercised her constitutional right by voting in the national elections. She was the first woman in South :America to obtain this right. But that's not all. Matilde Hidalgo also became the first woman candidate and elected to a public role in Ecuador.
Matilde Hidalgo died in Guayaquil on February 20, 1974.
Matilde Hidalgo, doctor and poet
In addition to her political struggles, Matild Hidalgo was also a doctor and a poet. Her collection of poems came out in Jenny Estrada's book "Matilde Hidalgo of Procel, Biography and Book of Poems".