Maria Rivera de Ochoa

A Peruvian educator and social reformer who established the first public library and girls' school in Lima during the 1830s.

Maria Rivera de Ochoa (1810–1885) was a visionary educator in 19th-century Peru, renowned for founding Lima's first public library and the country's earliest girls' school. Born into a middle-class family, Maria leveraged her access to books and ideas during a time when women were excluded from formal education. Her 1832 library, Biblioteca Pública Municipal de Lima, became a hub for intellectuals and activists, while her school prioritized critical thinking and science education for girls.

Maria's pedagogical approach emphasized practical skills alongside traditional subjects. She introduced courses in botany, mathematics, and civic education, challenging the notion that women should only learn domestic skills. Her school's curriculum was later adopted by the Peruvian government as a model for national education reforms. Maria also authored influential essays like 《Educating Peruvian Women: A 19th Century Revolution》, which argued for women's intellectual equality.

Her efforts faced backlash from conservative elites, but Maria gained allies among liberal politicians like President Ramón Castilla. She later expanded her work to rural areas, establishing mobile libraries and teacher training programs. Today, the Maria Rivera de Ochoa National Award honors Peruvian educators who advance gender equality in education.

Historical records of Maria are detailed in the Lima Municipal Archives, while her legacy is explored in documentaries like 《The Librarian of Lima》.