Rosario de Acuña y Ángeles López de Ayala: escritura y pactos contra el dogma

Abstract

This essay studies the freethinking pact signed by Spanish writers Rosario de Acuna and Angeles Lopez de Ayala. Their contributions to the freethinking press and their feminist activism are examined through analysis of their collaborations in the publications Las dominicales del librepensamiento, El gladiador: organo de la “Sociedad progresiva femenina”, and El gladiador del librepensamiento. The ideology of these publica­tions allowed them to connect their feminism to the political agenda of progressive thought. Two complementary axes are taken into consideration, as this intersection illuminates their pact on commitment and transgression: the fights for social and gender equality. The article explores their thoughts about the exploitation of workers by the castes, the empowerment of women as agents of progress and strong condemnation of their subjugation. In conclusion, their writings show a progres­sive radicalization that informs a combative feminist approach that reflected their discontent with the paternalist or hostile attitude of patriarchal freethinking and male republicanism on the topic of women’s rights.