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Women’s History Month
All around the world, March is celebrated as being Women’s History Month. From the early 1900s to present day inspirational women. We have made a list of some of our favourite influential Spanish women. Let us know in the comments if you know any other amazing women that we haven’t mentioned!
#1 Mercè Rodoreda
Born in 1908, Mercè Rodoreda is regarded as one of the most influential post-war period Catalan novelists. Translated in over 30 languages and arguably the most popular Catalan novel is her work, La Plaça del diamant, 1962 (The Time of the Doves). This novel in particular grasped the attention of so many, as it is an honest novel following a female protagonist on her journey of self-discovery before and after the Spanish Civil War. With a total of 12 novels and 4 short story collections, Mercè Rodoreda has secured multiple awards for her writing. This list of awards includes a library in Platja d’Aro, Girona that is named after her. We recommend a read of any of her novels and/or short stories.
Source: www.elpuntavui.cat
#2 Carme Ruscalleda
In an industry that is 78% male dominated, Carme Ruscalleda has successfully made her way as one of Catalonia’s most honourable chefs. She was born in 1952 and has been cooing throughout her childhood on her family farm. Now she has earned three Michelin stars and is renowned for creating a kind of literary experience with her menu and cuisine. However, she also has multiple cookbooks focused on easy and quick to cook meals! If you’re in Barcelona and are interested in trying something made by Carme, she is currently working at the Mandarin Oriental located on Passeig de Gràcia.
#3 Isabel Coixet
Only born in 1960 and starting her film directing career in 1988, Isabel has directed 12 feature-length films in addition to short films, documentaries and commercials. She has been described as one of the most inexhaustible Spanish film directors of the present day. It is believed that one of the reasons her films are so successful is because she has so much passion for her career. Isabel not only directs, but often writes and shoots her own films. She is so committed to emotionally reaching the viewers through the stories she is telling. Looking for something to do this month? You could take a look at one of Isabel’s most well-known movies The Secret Life of Words (2005), My Life Without Me (2003), The Bookshop (2017).
#4 Montserrat Caballé
Montserrat is considered to be one of Spains most iconic Sopranos of the 20th century. Born and raised in Barcelona from 1933, Montserrat was taught the basics of music theory by her mother. She went on to study as the Conservatorio Superior de Música del Liceo de Barcelona. Attending this school on scholarship was arguably a pivotal moment in the build up to her success as a musician. Her international success all started with her performance at Carnegie Hall in New York, where she sang Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucrecia Borgia. One of her most notable performances is with Freddie Mercury during the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, where they sung Barcelona.
#5 Ada Colau
On June 13th, 2015 Ada Colau was elected as the first female Mayor of Barcelona. Ada is an activist involved in many different organisations before becoming Mayor. One of her most influential organisations being the Platform for People Affected by Mortgages. Ada never completed her studies at University of Barcelona, however, this evidently did not stop her from being a successful woman. Not only does she proudly represent the everyday people of Barcelona, but is also unafraid of approaching taboo subjects such as sexuality. She is a pioneer for woman everywhere looking to break the glass ceiling of the world of politics.
Women’s History Month on Netflix
You should also keep an eye out for the new Netflix collection of documentaries, series and movies. Together with UN Women, they have created “Because She Watched”. It is a collection made for women, focusing on not only strong females that we already know, but ones we have yet to learn about.
