Born: 1893 (Torres Novas, Portugal)
Died: 1983
Biography:
Maria Lamas (6 October 1893 – 6 December 1983) was a Portuguese writer, translator, journalist, and feminist political activist. She played a significant role in advocating for women’s rights in Portugal during the 20th century and made notable contributions to Portuguese literature. Her life and work were marked by a dedication to social justice and a commitment to challenging traditional gender norms.
Maria da Conceição Vassalo e Silva da Cunha Lamas was born on 6 October 1893 in Torres Novas, a town in the Santarém District of Portugal. She came from a privileged background, as both her parents belonged to well-off families. Her father was a Freemason, while her mother was a devout Catholic. Maria had two younger sisters, and she was the older sister of Manuel António Vassalo e Silva, who would later become the last Governor of Portuguese India. She was also a cousin of Alice Vieira and Maria Lúcia Vassalo Namorado, well-known children’s book writers.
Maria Lamas received her primary and secondary education in Torres Novas, attending a boarding school run by Spanish nuns for her secondary education. Concerned that she was considering a religious vocation, her father decided to remove her from the school. It was reported that one of the nuns remarked, a demon left here upon her departure.
At the age of 17, in 1911, Maria married Teófilo José Pignolet Ribeiro da Fonseca, an officer at the local Cavalry School. The same year, she accompanied her husband to Capelongo in Portuguese Angola, where he was assigned to work at a military prison. Maria gave birth to her first daughter during her time there.
In 1913, Maria Lamas returned to Portugal, pregnant once again. With the outbreak of the First World War and her marriage falling apart, she found herself in need of financial support for herself and her daughters. She moved to Lisbon and secured a job at the American News Agency with the assistance of Virgínia Quaresma, Portugal’s first female professional journalist. Maria also began writing for Portuguese newspapers like Correio da Manhã, establishing herself as a talented writer and journalist.
In 1920, Maria Lamas obtained a divorce from Teófilo and a year later, she married journalist Alfredo da Cunha Lamas. They had a daughter together but separated shortly after her birth, officially divorcing in 1936. Despite the separation, Maria chose to retain her second husband’s surname throughout her life.
After her second marriage ended, Maria Lamas continued to pursue a career in writing. She contributed to newspapers such as O Século and A Capital, and published poems, novels, and children’s stories. Her works often tackled political themes and focused on advocating for women’s rights.
In 1928, Maria was invited to direct the supplement Modas & Bordados of O Século, an influential Portuguese newspaper, by the writer José Maria Ferreira de Castro. During her nearly two-decade-long tenure as the director, she succeeded in turning the supplement’s financial losses around by employing a unique approach of writing woman to woman.
Maria Lamas’ commitment to women’s rights extended beyond her writing. She actively participated in feminist movements, organizing conferences and events aimed at achieving gender equality in Portugal. Her advocacy work played a vital role in improving the legal rights and social status of Portuguese women.
Throughout her life, Maria Lamas remained dedicated to the principles of social justice and equality. Her writings and activism continue to inspire generations of Portuguese feminists, and her impact on women’s history in Portugal is immeasurable.
Awards:
– Maria Lamas received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to Portuguese literature and women’s rights advocacy. Some of her notable awards include the Grã-Cruz da Ordem Civil do Mérito Agrícola e Industrial Classe Industrial (1970) and the Prémio Eugénio dos Santos (1977).