María Jesús Alvarado Rivera was a pioneering and influential scholar, feminist, journalist, educator, and activist for women’s rights in Peru. Alvarado Rivera was born in the northern part of the Chincha province in Peru in 1878. Her parents were owners and operators of an estate grounds, and this afforded Maria comfort and access to education. AS a child she went to the traditional primary school taught to children but was not expected to continue once she had finished it. Fortunately for her, she was an exceptional student and quickly became literate by the time she left. So afterwards, she was able to teach herself any subject that interested. Her parent’s wealth made access to information easy. When she was a teenager, she attended a private high school taught by Elvira García y García, the leader of the Peruvian feminist movement. Here, Alvarado Rivera encountered feminist teachings and the important role education can have in an individual’s life. After her schooling she went out to become an instructor. While teaching, she led courses discussing maternity, STDs, and vocational education. After teaching, Alvarado Rivera launched a promising career in journalism through multiple newspapers in Peru, but her career would shift in 1910 when she was given the opportunity to present at the International Women’s Congress in 1910. She argued for the right to vote, greater professional freedom, and the ability to engage with politics. Many women in attendance applauded Alvarado Rivera’s remarks and welcomed the change, but many others felt her requests were too severe and could upend society. This split between Peruvian women would exist throughout Alvarado Rivera’s career. Alvarado Rivera continued to promote women’s activism throughout the 1920s. she founded journals, organization, and political action groups to fight for equality before the law, the right to vote, and greater employment opportunities. However, for each new project she accomplished another form of opposition arose. Ultimately, Alvarado Rivera was jailed and exiled to Argentina for twelve years. While there, she taught and directed pays she wrote. Eventually, Alvarado Rivera was allowed back to Peru and was warmly welcomed. After returning, she published, wrote plays, and continued to fight for women’s suffrage. The fight would continue until 1955 when the Peruvian government gave women the right to vote. María Jesús Alvarado Rivera is considered the first modern champion of women’s rights in Peru. The projects and work she created laid an important foundation that empowered women throughout the country and through generations to fight for their rights. Her work ultimately provided these rights after a long fight. She will always be remembered as a great champion of women’s rights.

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