“Mulheres de Beja” is the title of the book by the authors Florbela Barão da Silva and M. Margarida Pereira-Müller, with illustrations by Cristina Matos and the support of the Municipality of Beja.
The work portrays 30 women who distinguished themselves in the collective memory for their areas of activity and expression that characterized them and thus contributed to the construction of the municipality's identity. In common the connection to the municipality of Beja.
In the space of seven centuries, biographies from Beatriz of Portugal to Elsa Valentim are covered, passing through Mariana Alcoforado, Maria Isabel Covas Lima, Carolina Almodôvar Fernandes, Welcome Paulino, Catarina Eufémia, Maria de Lourdes Modesto, Tonicha, Linda de Suza, Maria João George, White Candida Flower, Openwork Pink, Catarina Soares, Teresa Beirão, Maria da Graça Carvalho, Ana Paula Russo, Galician Custody, Ana Matos Pires, among others.
“With this research on the work of women in Beja we want to highlight women who had an impact on the municipality, many of them anonymous, but who with their strength marked the region and made it known both in Portugal and beyond its borders,” say the authors.
“Mulheres de Beja” aims to bring these women, which represent many more, in the spotlight so that new generations become aware that women are an integral part of society, of history, who have a voice and a public space.
Each woman presented in this book was portrayed in charcoal by Cristina Matos, a young illustrator from Beja who dedicates herself to painting, illustration, urban art and graphic design. The layout was carried out by finalist Alexandra Capelo, who worked at the Brandia/Novodesign agencies, Mola Ativism and as a freelancer works with Havas Design and Leya.
“Mulheres de Beja” is a book about women written by women and thinking about the new generation of girls and boys who defend their freedom with determination. Between 17 and 31 October 2022 Municipal Equality Day is celebrated 2022 in which this book is included.
“The great value of Mulheres de Beja is the fact that it rescues and makes known very different life paths, showing how each of the women portrayed knew how to overcome the obstacles they faced, fighting for a better life and a place of dignity”, said sociologist Cidália Pecegueiro about the book.
