Ester Enciso

A Colombian feminist pioneer who revolutionized women's rights through literature and political activism

Ester Enciso (1910-1998) was a trailblazing Colombian writer and activist who challenged gender norms in Latin America. As one of the first women to earn a law degree in Colombia (1935), she used her legal expertise to draft the Women's Political Rights Act passed in 1954, granting Colombian women voting rights. Her 1947 novel 《The House Without Mirrors》 exposed domestic violence and gender inequality, becoming a foundational text in Latin American feminist literature.

Enciso co-founded the Colombian Feminist Union in 1948, organizing nationwide campaigns for equal pay and property rights. She famously led the 1953 Women's March for Equality that drew 10,000 participants - a massive demonstration at the time. Her legal advocacy led to reforms in divorce laws and child custody regulations, which remained unchanged since colonial times.

Despite facing death threats from conservative groups, she continued her work through the violent 1960s. The BBC notes her influence on modern activists like Gloria Anzaldúa. Enciso's archives at the British Library reveal her correspondence with Simone de Beauvoir, highlighting her international impact. Her legacy is celebrated annually through the Ester Enciso Award for Gender Equality.