Sarah Beirão's Feminist Journeys in Brazil: Periodical Press for Portuguese Immigrants

Abstract

This article analyzes the collaboration of the Portuguese female writer, journalist and feminist Sarah Beirão (1880-1974) in the Brazilian periodical press, focusing on the column “Confessionário Feminino” (Feminine Confessionary) of the Rio de Janeiro newspaper aimed for Portuguese immigrants, Pátria Portuguesa, wherewith she collaborated between 1928 and 1931, on her contributions to the magazine Lusitânia (1929-1934) and her conference held in São Paulo in 1937, published in the Revista Portuguesa of that year. In this context, the work aims to find expressions that indicate which feminist ideals the writer disseminated in these publications. To this end, Sarah Beirão's texts were separated and analyzed in the physical editions of the newspaper, found in the collection of the Royal Portuguese Reading Room, and additional research was carried out through the Digital Newspaper Library of the National Library, seeking data on her impact. In addition, theorists and other researchers were also studied to help better understand female writing and the feminist agendas of the time. In view of this, it was noted that the writer, in the 41 chronicles, among the advice, usually romantic, indicated her feminist positions such as the defense of women's right to education and work and female participation in public decisions. However, some conservative traits were also noted regarding issues of sexuality and race. It was also noted that her agendas were maintained in her fictional production and in the conference.