Born: 1939 (Tarija, Bolivia)
Died: 2021
Biography:
Rhina Aguirre Amézaga (20 May 1939 – 30 October 2021) was a Bolivian disability activist, politician, and sociologist who served as a senator for Tarija from 2010 to 2015. Aguirre’s life was characterized by her unwavering commitment to social justice and her dedication to improving the lives of marginalized individuals in Bolivia. Her story is one of overcoming adversity, championing human rights, and breaking barriers for people with disabilities.
Aguirre was born on 20 May 1939 in Tarija, Bolivia, to Humberto Aguirre Aoiz, an artisan jeweler, and Lucía Amézaga de Ameller, a woman from Camargo. As the eldest of three siblings, Aguirre grew up in relative poverty but was raised with a strong sense of social consciousness by her communist father. Humberto Aguirre instilled in her a deep understanding of social inequality and the need for active participation in combating it.
Aguirre’s education began at the Santa Ana School, a religious institute run by the nunnery in Tarija. She completed her primary and secondary schooling there and eventually joined the school’s staff as a professor, later becoming the director. During her time at the Santa Ana School, Aguirre also underwent the novitiate, although she chose not to take her final vows. Her experience with the nuns introduced her to liberation theology, a movement that merged Christian doctrine with left-wing political ideologies. Aguirre embraced these concepts and applied them to her work as an educator, advocating for faith-based alternative and adult education.
In addition to her work as an educator, Aguirre collaborated with the Loyola Cultural Action Foundation and worked in radio, producing educational programs. Her commitment to social justice and human rights became evident early on when she became a prominent activist during the military dictatorships of the 1970s and ’80s in Bolivia. Aguirre was an active participant in the country’s human rights movement, fighting against the oppressive regimes and advocating for the rights and freedoms of all individuals.
Due to her activism, Aguirre faced persecution and was ultimately exiled to Ecuador by the García Meza regime. In Ecuador, she collaborated with Leonidas Proaño’s Indigenous Ministry and worked closely with peasant and social organizations. It was during this time that Aguirre lost her sight, becoming blind in both eyes due to toxoplasmosis. Despite this immense challenge, she emerged as a fierce advocate for disability rights, using her personal experience to shed light on the struggles faced by individuals with disabilities.
After returning to Bolivia, Aguirre joined the Departmental Council for Disabled Persons, dedicating herself to promoting the rights and inclusion of disabled individuals within society. In 2009, she joined the Movement for Socialism and ran for a seat in the Senate representing Tarija. Her historic election victory made her the first blind person in Bolivian history to assume a parliamentary seat.
Throughout her tenure in the Senate from 2010 to 2015, Aguirre remained a champion for disability rights, social justice, and equality. She advocated for accessible infrastructure, inclusive education, and equal opportunities for all. Aguirre’s remarkable achievements and her determination to improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of society left a lasting impact on Bolivia and beyond.
Rhina Aguirre’s legacy as a disability activist, politician, and sociologist is one of courage, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to social justice. Her unwavering spirit, despite the challenges she faced, continues to inspire countless individuals to fight for equality and inclusion. Rhina Aguirre will always be remembered as a trailblazer in the struggle for disability rights and an integral figure in Bolivia’s history.