Juana María Gorriti, a Nineteenth-Century Female Journalist in Argentina

Abstract

Juana Manuela Gorriti (Argentina, 1816-1892) has shown a special talent as a writer, as well as a great capacity and perspicacity to provide an insightful view of the historical and cultural events that she participated in, and to describe the ways of thinking and feelings of the societies she belonged to.  In the journalistic arena, she reached notable recognition by working assiduously in important journals across Latin America.  Her most ambitious project in this field was the creation of La Alborada del Plata. Gorriti directed this journal from its launch in Buenos Aires in 1877 up to 1878, when other female writers continued her legacy. Our current analysis of the editorial articles published in this journal demonstrates that they were penned by Gorriti, based on specific textual indications and in the ideas presented, which coincide with her long-held opinions and values that she defended throughout her career. In particular, Gorriti proposed an americanist vision of conservation of regional languages and the identifying traits of each Nation; a permanent and active defense of female education; a strive to incorporate the benefits science’s improvements to everyday life, and a compromise to consolidate a democratic government system  in which women could more actively participate.