Protofeminism and Freemasonry, influential factors in contemporary Spain (1868-1900)

Abstract

After La Gloriosa Revolution (1868), different critical voices emerged, from both the male and female sector, against the situation and status of women, both from the male and the female sector. Those voices promoted projects for the education of women in order to dignify them and to make them become free people. Many of these projects were initiated by sectors of Freemasonry. Thus, this study aims to explore the connection between protofeminism and Freemasonry in the 19^th century. Thus, a case study has been conducted on the leading figure Concepción Arenal as a promoter who laid the foundations of feminism, which would further develop during the 20^th century after the founding of several projects, she established by means of her relationships with people linked to Freemasonry.