Bertha Lutz
Bertha Maria Julia Lutz was born in São Paulo, on August 2, 1894. She was a feminist activist, directly responsible for the political articulation that revised the laws that gave women the right to vote and equal political rights in the 20s and 30s. Biologist, politician and one of the most significant figures in feminism and education in 20th century Brazil.
In 1918, he graduated in Natural Sciences from the Sorbonne in Paris, specializing in anuran amphibians. The following year, she passed the competition to become a teacher and researcher at the National Museum, becoming the second Brazilian to take part in public service in Brazil.
He graduated in Law in 1933 from the Faculty of Rio de Janeiro. In the same year, he represented Brazil at the Inter-American Conference in Montevideo – Uruguay, marking the beginning of his diplomatic work for the country, which continued later in representations at the International Labor Conference (held in the USA, 1944) and, later, as a militant in the World Conference on Women, held by the United Nations.
He was elected substitute for federal deputy in 1934, after two unsuccessful attempts to be elected. In 1936, he replaced the mandate in the vacancy left by Cândido Pessoa, in a mandate that lasted just over a year. Their main battle flags were changes in labor legislation, providing for women's right to work, the right to maternity leave, equalization of extensions and rights, and measures against child labor.
During this period, Bertha Lutz was also active in defending Brazilian scientific knowledge, scientific training, combating diseases, protecting nature and conserving Brazilian fauna and flora. In 1937, with the Estado Novo coup and the consequent closure of the National Congress, Bertha continued her career in public bodies, an example of her leadership role in the botany sector of the National Museum, which she held until her retirement in 1965.
He was part of the Brazilian delegation to the San Francisco Conference, held between May and June 1945. This conference was called to draft the definitive text of the Charter of the United Nations. At the meeting, his work in political support for the South African delegate, General Smuts, ensured that the preamble of the Charter brought a commitment to equality between men and women and between nations. Due to her performance, Bertha was invited by Itamaraty to join the Brazilian delegation to the International Women's Year Conference, held in Mexico, in June 1975.
Bertha passed away in Rio de Janeiro on September 16, 1976.
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