Maria Lamas
#Inthisday on July 18, 1950 Maria Lamas is arrested for the second time and released after a court sentence six months later – during which time she writes her Political Letters, which she plans to eventually publish under the title Cartas Humanas (Human Letters).
Maria Lamas was born in October 1893. Writer, journalist, and political activist for women’s causes. She published poetry, novels, and children’s stories, and as a journalist she worked for the American News Agency, A Capital, Civilização, and O Século.
In 1930 she organized the exhibition “Portuguese Women” and in 1947 the “Books Written by Women Exhibition”. A year later she launched what would be one of her great projects: “Women My Country”.
She participated in World Peace Congresses, chaired the National Council of Portuguese Women, and was part of the board of the Democratic Unity Movement. She played an active role in Norton de Matos’ candidacy for President of the Republic in 1949 and was part of the board of the Democratic Unity Movement, which fought the dictatorship.
She was arrested by the PIDE three times between 1949 and 1962, and ended up in exile in Paris until 1969, while remaining politically active, especially in supporting Portuguese refugees in opposition to the fascist regime.
