Eight Spanish nuns who were ahead of their time

rose marquez

In the Middle Ages, the monasteries were the temples of wisdom and their libraries the only places of access to culture. There were no other settings where women could satisfy their intellectual concerns, beyond convents or courts, so many decided to take refuge in these places. As paradoxical as it may seem to us today, they often found more freedom in the cloisters than in the palaces. Some of these women were promoters of new buildings, founders of religious orders, contributed to the expansion and globalization of the Spanish monarchy and went where the State was not enough, to educate and care for citizens. In order to recover the memory of eight of these pioneers, the Rey Juan Carlos University, in collaboration with the Círculo de Orellana, has presented the course 'Leading from the contemplation of the Middle Ages to Modernity: Spanish founders of spaces for culture, thought and action'.

“Society closed the way for them in the civil, political and military spheres, so they only had the religious sphere. They were ahead of their time because they knew about entrepreneurship and management capacity, but above all, because they were able to involve other people in their projects, which is what defines a leader", explained Leticia Espinosa de los Monteros, president of the Círculo de Orellana and director of the course, together with María José Rubio.

The journey through the life and legacy of these women begins, in chronological order, in the Middle Ages with Sor Constanza de Castilla. The second presentation is dedicated to Ana de San Bartolomé, inseparable companion of Saint Teresa of Jesus and a pioneer of globalization, for her expansion of the Carmelite Order in Flanders and France. The day ends with a joint conference on Teresa de Ávila given by former minister José María Michavila and the

writer and historian Jesús Sánchez Adalid. Day 5 starts in the XNUMXth century with Sor Patrocinio, then delves into the biography of two women who stood out for their social conscience: Rafaela de Ibarra and Dorotea de Chopitea, until reaching the XNUMXth century with the figures of Mother Maravillas and the Mother Félix, founder of the Mater Salvatoris schools.

It is not the first time that the URJC collaborates with the Círculo de Orellana. In 2020, coinciding with the centenary of the death of Benito Pérez Galdós, they dedicated a course to Galdosian women. The success of that seminar has encouraged both institutions to join in this call, which has once again been very well received. “More than 70 people have signed up. It is a course that will be enjoyed by all those who are interested in the history of Spain, but also in issues related to women and leadership”, explains Espinosa de los Monteros. "We are happy to contribute a grain of sand in the dissemination of female talent and we are delighted to do it with a public university like the URJC", added Rubio.

The course is free. It is taught on July 4 and 5 at the university headquarters on Calle Quinta and is recognized with 0,35 ECTS credits.