Born: 1888 (Madrid, Spain)
Died: 1972 (San Sebastian, Spain)
Biography:
Clara Campoamor Rodríguez, born on February 12, 1888, in Madrid, Spain, was a Spanish politician, lawyer, and writer who played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement in her country. Considered by some as the mother of the Spanish feminist movement, Campoamor dedicated her life to fighting for women’s rights and advocating for gender equality.
Coming from a working-class family, Campoamor faced numerous challenges and obstacles in her pursuit of education and professional success. At the tender age of 13, she started working as a seamstress while simultaneously studying part-time. Her determination and tenacity paid off when she passed the test that granted her admission to law school.
Before entering the University of Madrid School of Law, Campoamor held various government positions, including working at the Post Office in San Sebastián and teaching typing in Madrid. It was during her time as a journalist at the newspaper La Tribuna that she became involved in the Madrid political scene and crossed paths with influential feminist figures such as Carmen de Burgos and Eva Nelken. Inspired by these connections, Campoamor joined feminist associations and began writing political commentary.
After receiving her law degree in 1924, at the age of 36, Campoamor started practicing law and actively participated in intellectual debates and societies in Madrid. Her career was marked by notable achievements, including becoming the second woman to join the Madrid Bar Association, the first woman to defend a case before the Spanish High Court, and one of the first to represent Spain in the League of Nations. As a lawyer, Campoamor specialized in issues affecting women, such as paternity cases and marital law, and championed these causes within professional organizations. She was instrumental in founding the International Federation of Women Lawyers in 1928.
Campoamor’s advocacy work reached new heights in 1927 when she successfully fought for improvements to child labor laws and electoral law changes. A pivotal moment in her career came in 1931 when women were granted the right to run for the Constituent Assembly, which would draft a new constitution. Campoamor stood for a seat and was elected, despite women not yet having the right to vote themselves.
During her time in the Constituent Assembly, Campoamor passionately advocated for women’s suffrage. She delivered compelling speeches, demanding that women be granted the right to vote and be recognized as equal citizens. Despite facing fierce opposition from conservative factions, Campoamor’s arguments prevailed, and her efforts led to the inclusion of women’s suffrage in the Spanish Constitution of 1931.
However, Campoamor’s victory was short-lived. She lost her parliamentary seat in the subsequent elections, and her fight for gender equality faced setbacks. Following the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Campoamor briefly served as a government minister before being forced into exile. She sought refuge in Switzerland, where she continued her activism and writing.
Clara Campoamor Rodríguez, the indomitable champion of women’s rights, passed away on April 30, 1972, leaving behind a lasting legacy. She was laid to rest at the Polloe Cemetery in San Sebastian, Spain. Her tireless efforts and unwavering determination left an indelible mark on the Spanish feminist movement and women’s history as a whole. She remains an iconic figure, inspiring generations of women to fight for their rights and challenging social norms.