Ester B. de Benitez

A Guatemalan educator who pioneered free public education and women's rights in the 20th century

Ester B. de Benitez (1898–1986) was a visionary educator and social reformer from Guatemala, renowned for her pivotal role in establishing free public education and advocating for women's rights. Born in Guatemala City, she witnessed the stark inequalities in access to education, particularly for girls and rural communities. In the 1930s, she co-founded the University of Guatemala, later becoming its first female rector. Her most transformative achievement came in the 1940s when she spearheaded the Democratic Revolution of 1944, which abolished illiteracy taxes and mandated free education for all. This policy reduced Guatemala's illiteracy rate from 70% to below 50% within a decade. Ester also championed women's enrollment in higher education, establishing scholarships and coeducational programs that defied societal norms. Her work laid the foundation for Guatemala's modern education system and inspired regional movements across Latin America. Despite facing political setbacks, her legacy endures through institutions like the National School of Social Work she founded. Ester's blend of academic rigor and social justice remains a cornerstone of Guatemalan cultural identity.