“Si Evita Viviera” by Nancy Caro Hollander (1974)

Josie Kahlenbeck

Peronism’s ability to mobilize the masses of women even with the constraints of the times

Progressive ideas? Hollander says yes and tries to prove this

Looks at the “historical roots” of the Peronist women’s movement to better understand its current appeal Comparison to their contemporary fascist leaders

Role of Eva Contradictions

Themes

Class and Women

Class and women’s issues intertwined

Under Peronism, women had an increase in economic, social and political status

Eva was the model Resentment toward

the oligarchy

“[Peronism] continually linked the rights of women with the interests of the masses” - Taylor

“we demand a part of the struggle because we have suffered as much or more than men” –Eva Perón

Women During First Peronist Regime

1944 Women’s Division of Labor and Assistance Increase in wages

and working conditions

Right to vote

Family Laws 1949 Constitutionally

gave women equality to men in marriage

1954 Illegitimate children got equal rights

New family code laws Divorce Too radical for some

Evita and the Women’s Movement

Supported by Perón Unidades básicas

Organized, classes, meeting place, daycare, legal and medical help

Books

1951 women were able to vote Majority voted for Perón

Why? Class

Peronist Women’s Party Autonomous, independent

people “Join the revolution

against economic and social injustice”

Conservative Peronist ideas

Remain the “second sex” Difference because of

biological role Used for and against

suffrage Contradictions in books Peronist youth song Eva’s constant referral to

Perón

Evita as a Political Activist

Constant referral to Perón He is the smart, logical

one; she is emotion Connection between

the people and Perón Saw the different,

positive aspects of women

Angry and vengeful Anti-oligarchy Angry at anti-women

ideas that had been suppressing her

“channeling outward” Economic

independence was key

Integrated the issue into a national movement about economic sovereignty and social justice

Leaders of the movement came from working/lower middle class (including Evita)

Ultimate leader was Perón, a man Paternalism dampened the

threat Husbands could agree

Why was Peronism’s Women’s Movement Successful?

Helped the appeal of the movement Women didn’t need to confront reality Gave leeway to those who wanted to broaden their

power Didn’t have lasting changes because it was populist

Montoneros today If Eva were alive, would she be a Montonero?

Continued class antagonisms, although both left and right are symbolized by women Eva and Isabel

Contradictions and Eva Today