Maria Winslow

Peruvian entrepreneur who built Latin America's first women-owned textile empire in the late 19th century

Maria Winslow (1847–1923) was a visionary businesswoman who defied gender norms to create Peru's first women-owned textile conglomerate. Orphaned at 12, she began working in Lima's textile mills, eventually accumulating capital through shrewd trading of imported English fabrics. By 1875, she founded Fábrica Textil María Winslow, employing over 300 women in a male-dominated industry.

Her innovative use of Andean weaving techniques combined with European machinery created distinctive textiles that became diplomatic gifts for European royalty. Winslow's factories pioneered worker benefits like childcare facilities and health insurance long before such practices became common. During the 1879 War of the Pacific, she supplied uniforms to Peruvian troops while maintaining full production schedules.

Her business manuals emphasized gender equity principles, stating: 'A factory is a living organism where every worker's contribution deserves respect.' By 1900, her empire included dye works, training schools, and export offices in Europe. Despite her success, she remained a controversial figure - male competitors spread rumors alleging her fabrics were 'cursed.'

Winslow's legacy endures through the Museo Textil María Winslow, preserving traditional weaving techniques. Modern Peruvian feminists cite her as a pioneer who transformed textile work from menial labor into a respected profession. Her business model influenced later Latin American female entrepreneurs like Carmen Carrasco.