Born: 1894 (Vallenar, Chile)
Biography:
María Mercedes Rivera Urquieta, born on 12 June 1894 in Vallenar, Chile, was a renowned professor and feminist. She played a significant role in the advancement of women’s rights and contributed to the empowerment of women in Chile. Rivera was one of the founding members of the Pro-Emancipation Movement of Chilean Women (MEMCH), a pivotal organization that championed women’s rights in the country.
The Pro-Emancipation Movement of Chilean Women was initiated by Elena Caffarena on 11 May 1935. Rivera, listed with the title doctora, joined as one of the first members. The movement aimed to promote feminist ideals and create a platform for women’s voices to be heard. Alongside Rivera, influential women such as attorney Flora Heredia, Chief Inspector Clara Williams, journalist Marta Vergara, professors Aída Parada, Domitila Ulloa, and Susana Depassier, trade union organizers Eulogia Román and María Ramírez, as well as Angelina Matte, Graciela Mandujano, Felisa Vergara, Olga Poblete, and Herta Hoschhauser came together to shape the movement and work towards gender equality in Chile.
Rivera’s dedication to women’s rights extended beyond her involvement in MEMCH. In 1946, she collaborated with the Chilean Federation of Feminine Institutions to organize a series of lectures at the University of Chile. These lectures covered various subjects, including Chilean History, the Constitution, Democracy, Economy, Education, Health, and Politics. Rivera, together with Graciela Mandujano, Aída Parada, Olga Poblete, and Eulogia Román, expertly presented their respective topics, sparking lively debates and fostering intellectual growth among attendees.
María Rivera Urquieta’s commitment to driving change reached an international level when she participated in the Primer Congreso Interamericano de Mujeres held in Guatemala City, Guatemala in 1947. At the conference, she represented numerous organizations, including the Asociaciones Cristianas Femeninas, Círculo Pro Paz y de Cooperación Americana, Consejo Nacional de Mujeres, and Federación Chilena Femenina. Rivera displayed her leadership skills during the discussions on nuclear power and the implications of atomic bomb use. The attendees delved into various aspects of the nuclear weapons threat and made eight recommendations to prevent any further atomic war. These recommendations included the destruction of existing weapons and manufacturing plants, an extensive educational program to ensure widespread understanding of the benefits and dangers of nuclear power, and the appointment of pacifist women in United Nations positions to regulate and monitor the atomic industry.
Rivera’s contributions to the advancement of women’s rights were significant, both within Chile and on an international platform. Her dedication and tireless efforts to promote gender equality and fight for women’s rights have left a lasting impact on society, making her a prominent figure in Chilean women’s history.