International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th. However, at Porto Secreto we believe that no date and/or event is necessary to highlight and celebrate Portuguese women.
Against this backdrop, starting from a historical perspective, we would like to dedicate this article to the various outstanding female personalities in Portugal. Athletes, writers, singers, actresses and much more, the order presented here is random. Each one of them deserves our respect and admiration!
Table Of Contents
- Brites de Almeida (1350)
- Carolina Beatriz Ângelo (1878 - 1911)
- Florbela Espanca (1894 - 1930)
- Beatriz Costa (1907 - 1996)
- Maria Helena Vieira da Silva (1908 - 1992)
- Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (1919 - 2004)
- Amália Rodrigues (1920 - 1999)
- Eunice Muñoz (1928 - 2022)
- Rosa Mota (1958)
- Elvira Fortunato (1964)
Brites de Almeida (1350)
In this list dedicated to outstanding Portuguese women, we start by mentioning Brites de Almeida. Don’t know who she was? She was the beloved Baker of Aljubarrota. She was considered a heroine in the Battle of Aljubarrota.
According to historical accounts, she became known for allegedly killing seven Castilians who were hiding in a bread oven, using only her modest shovel as a ‘weapon’.
Carolina Beatriz Ângelo (1878 – 1911)
This figure was the first in many ways, for example: she was the first doctor to carry out an operation at Lisbon’s São José Hospital.
She was also considered the ‘head of the family’ and, of course, she was the first woman to vote in 1911.
Florbela Espanca (1894 – 1930)
This is probably one of Portugal’s best-known poets. As such, it makes perfect sense for her to be on this list. During her career, she wrote beautiful poems and short stories, which still stand out today for their lyrical and feminine content.
And do you want to know something interesting? For a while, the ‘poet elect’ lived in the Fort of São João Baptista da Foz, or Castle of São João da Foz , in Porto.
Beatriz Costa (1907 – 1996)
Few women’s names carry as much weight in Portuguese cinema as Beatriz Costa, who became famous for her role in films such as “A Canção de Lisboa” (The Song of Lisbon).
She also starred in other films, including “Aldeia da Roupa Branca”, among others.
Maria Helena Vieira da Silva (1908 – 1992)
Better known by her nickname, she excelled above all in the worlds of painting, illustration and sculpture.
Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (1919 – 2004)
This is another Portuguese woman who needs no introduction, as she was the first to receive the famous Camões Prize.
Author of important short stories, she has been resting in the National Pantheon since 2014, while her poems live on in the memory of us all.
Amália Rodrigues (1920 – 1999)
Amália, the great queen of Fado and one of the ambassadors of Portuguese musical culture throughout the world.
Eunice Muñoz (1928 – 2022)
Coming from a family linked to the arts, Eunice Muñoz is considered one of the best Portuguese actresses of all time.
Rosa Mota (1958)
A native of Porto, Rosa Mota was Olympic, European and World Champion in the Marathon.
Elvira Fortunato (1964)
Last but not least, in this article dedicated to important Portuguese women, we would also like to mention Elvira Fortunato.
A woman dedicated to the world of science and often called the ‘mother’ of the paper transistor.