Born: 1882 (Elvas, Portugal)
Died: 1973
Biography:
Virgínia Sofia Guerra Quaresma OSE (28 December 1882 – 26 October 1973) was the first woman to take up professional journalism in Portugal and was one of the first women graduates from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lisbon. She was openly lesbian, in a time when society dictated that sexual orientation be hidden, and a feminist, who advocated for full equality between men and women. In her coverage of a sensational murder case in Brazil, she brought the issue of violence against women to the forefront. In the 1930s, she relocated permanently to Brazil, but traveled internationally with her work. A street was renamed in her honor in the Belém neighborhood of Lisbon, and in 2010, she was honored with a stamp bearing her likeness, along with other women.
Early Life:
Virgínia Sofia Guerra Quaresma was born on 28 December 1882 in Elvas, Portugal to Ana de Conceição Guerra and General Júlio César Ferreira Quaresma. Her father was a regimental commander and she was the only daughter in the family. She had two brothers, Eduardo and Carlos. She graduated with the credentials for teaching from the First Normal School of Lisbon and then enrolled in the Superior Course of Letters at the University of Lisbon. Graduating in 1903, she became one of the first women to graduate from the university’s Faculty of Arts.
Career:
Quaresma, along with Carolina Beatriz Ângelo, Adelaide Cabete, Carolina Michaëlis de Vasconcelos, Alice Pestana, Olga Sarmento da Silveira, among others, were the leading feminists at the turn of the century in Portugal. Beginning her career in feminist journals, such as O Mundo—Jornal da Mulher, she contributed articles discussing women’s total equality and the pacifist movement. She argued for equal rights in all arenas: access to professions, administration of property, education, equal pay, freedom of decisions, full legal and civil authority (including adoption, divorce, guardianship of children), the right to work for married women, as well as the right to vote.
Quaresma was the principal editor of the journal Sociedade Futura (Future Society) and on 18 May 1906, she reported on Sarmento da Silveira’s presentation on the Feminist Problem. That work spurred women to organize the Feminist Section of the Portuguese League of Peace, and by December Quaresma was heading the organizational committee. Quaresma was the editor-in-chief of the feminist journal, Alma Feminina (Feminine Soul), from the middle of 1907 to the early part of 1908 and then at the invitation of Manuel Guimarães went to work at O Século (The Century) to primarily cover political events.
In an article, Feminine Solidarity, published on 26 April 1907, Quaresma condemned the cloistered life most Portuguese women were forced to lead and advocated for the importance of their involvement in social and political issues. She also highlighted the need for solidarity among women to achieve their goals of equality. Quaresma’s bold and progressive ideas made a significant impact on women’s rights movements in Portugal.
Quaresma gained further recognition for her coverage of a high-profile murder case in Brazil. Her extensive reporting shed light on the issue of violence against women and brought national attention to the case. Her determined and meticulous journalism helped bring justice to the victims and led to a broader discussion about the plight of women in society.
In the 1930s, Quaresma decided to relocate permanently to Brazil. However, she continued to travel internationally, using her work as a journalist to advocate for women’s rights and social justice. She remained dedicated to her feminist principles and fought tirelessly for the equal treatment of women in all aspects of life.
In recognition of her groundbreaking career and her significant contributions to women’s rights, a street was renamed in her honor in the Belém neighborhood of Lisbon. In 2010, she was further honored with a stamp bearing her likeness, alongside other notable women.