Maria Mercedes Cossio del Pomar

A Peruvian educator and feminist who championed women’s rights and founded schools to promote female education in 19th-century South America.

Maria Mercedes Cossio del Pomar (1842–1915) pioneered women’s education in Peru, establishing schools that defied gender norms of her era. Born into a prominent family, she leveraged her privilege to advocate for girls’ access to education. Her 1880s initiatives, including the Escuela Normal de Señoritas, trained female teachers and empowered women to participate in public life. Discover her contributions.

Cossio del Pomar’s work challenged colonial-era gender roles, emphasizing education as a tool for societal progress. She collaborated with reformers like Riva-Agüero to modernize Peru’s educational system. Her legacy is celebrated in institutions like the María Mercedes Cossío del Pomar Cultural Center, underscoring her role in South America’s feminist movement.