As part of the Women of April programme, the General Library of the University of Coimbra will host two sessions highlighting the contributions of women to Portuguese history. The first will focus on Queen Isabel of Aragon in her dual role as woman and citizen, while the second will present twelve defiant Portuguese women featured in Maria João Lopo de Carvalho’s book As Revolucionárias.
The opening session, on 4 April at 6 pm, will be a roundtable with António Rebelo, Maria José Azevedo Santos and Carlota Simões (moderator). In the year marking the 700th anniversary of Queen Saint Isabel’s pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, the discussion invites the public to reflect on Isabel of Portugal as a ‘citizen’, her diplomatic role as queen, and her entrepreneurial spirit in founding the Monastery of Santa Clara. Could her actions today be seen as an early form of social entrepreneurship — and if so, what lessons can we draw from her example?
On 23 April at 6 pm, the library will welcome Maria João Lopo de Carvalho for the launch of her book As Revolucionárias: Doze Mulheres Portuguesas Desobedientes (The Revolutionaries: Twelve Defiant Portuguese Women). The author will be joined by João Gobern, who will moderate the conversation.
Both sessions will take place in the São Pedro Room of the UC General Library.
Translation: Diana Taborda