By: Jennifer Araujo Jocelyn De La O Julia Jackson Emily Olearczyk Eva Perón 1919-1952 By: Jennifer Araujo Jocelyn De La O Julia Jackson Emily Olearczyk

Don’t Cry For Me Argentina The Life and political career of Eva Perón, Argentina’s first lady, women's right activist, actress, political leader, and Evita

Early life Born María Eva Duarte on May 7th 1919 in Los Todos, Argentina Her mother was Juana Ibarguren Her father, Juan Duarte, was a wealthy rancher in Chivilcoy, where he already had a wife and family He abandoned Eva and her 4 siblings when she was 1 year old Eva was a part of the “second family” Considered bastards and lived an isolated life

The Death Of Her Father January 8, 1926 her father is killed in a car crash During the funeral, they could pay respects but were not allowed to stay Mrs. Juan Duarte (His legitimate wife) did not want her husbands mistress and family to attend the funeral so they were promptly kicked out This bitter memory caused her to destroy her original birth certificate as means to destroy that from her past in 1945

Move to Junín, Argentina She and her family move into a 1 bedroom apartment in Junín To pay rent they all got odd jobs and turned the home into a boarding home Her mother was a seamstress and cook Eva participates in many school plays like, Arriba Estudiantes, or Students Arise! Her mother wanted her to marry a bachelor, Eva wanted to become a famous actress In her autobiography she states, “Even as a little girl I wanted to recite. It was as though I wished to say something to others, something important which I felt in my deepest heart” (The Reason for My Life) While in Junín her voice was broadcasted for the first time over the radio on House of Music

Off To Buenos Aires! At 15, she moves to Buenos Aires to pursue her career Traveled around with a theatre company and modeled 1937: first film role in Segundos Afuera, got a contract to perform over radio 1942: 5 year contract to perform with Radio Belgrano Great Women of History Elizabeth I of England, last Tsarina of Russia One of the highest paid radio-actresses Short lived acting career, moves to politics

First Beginnings With Juan Perón January 15, 1944 an earthquake kills over 10,000 people in San Juan Secretary of Labor, Perón begins a fundraiser, an “artistic festival” where all of Argentina’s radio and TV personalities were invited. January 22, 1944 a gala was held at Luna Park Stadium where Eva and Juan first meet. She was 24, he was 48 May 1944, she was chosen as president for Agrupación Radial Argentina, a union which she founded a year earlier She spoke on behalf of Juan on her radio talk show, Toward a Better future She spoke of her humble upbringing which helped appeal to the poor working classes When he was arrested, she supposedly gathered thousands to help free him on October 17 They were married that December

Argentina Elite and military supported government 1930’s import substitution industrialization → working class doubled Female wage labor force 62% increase Tensions between elite and rest of Argentina (European immigrants drawn in from early 1990s strong economy, middle class, working class, rural people)

Argentina & Peronism Peronism/justicialismo: political movement based on Juan and Eva Peron’s ideas/programs Capitalist-socialist median Juan Perón presidency 1946 Populist government National appeal to public sectors Elite disapproval → political advantage “Voice of the descamisados” (the shirtless ones; Argentine workers)

Eva Peron & Evita Supported women’s right to vote “I have no interest in talking about Eva Peron…I am interested in talking about "Evita;“…because whoever understands "Evita“ perhaps also grasps more easily her "descamisados,” the people themselves, who will never aggrandize themselves” Supported women’s right to vote Latin American feminism Evita, wife of the leader Pride in being woman Feminism has become ridiculous and masculinization of females

Eva Peron vs. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Popularity of her husband, President Nestor Kirchner Peronist party Kirchner 2007 presidency Both women greatly involved in husbands’ politics

Peron’s Mission For Women Profession as women – to create Family home Vocation to sacrifice Right to create, alongside man, a better humanity Mother of family work for no salary concern: women’s movement should focus on improving lives through the home → should give monthly salary to wives/mothers Eva’s monthly salary idea was one of many molded around her followers

How It All Began… Peron as Secretary of Labor from 1943-1945 “Perón-People” Eva began to find ways to meet the needs of the people who crowded the sidewalks outside her house.  Labor unions contribute Europe

Eva Perón Foundation On June 19, 1948, the María Eva Duarte Social Help Foundation was established The Foundation had five goals: Loan money, provide tools, establish scholarships for deserving people who lack resources Construct housing for needy families Construct educational establishments, hospitals, recreational facilities Construct buildings for the common good which can be transferred with or without charge to National, Provincial or Municipal governments Contribute or collaborate by any means available to realization of works constructed for the common good which help meet basic needs of least favored social classes.

Hogares de Transito In 1948, the Fundación opened three Hogares de Tránsito 3 Hogares Residents stayed for an average of about eight days Open to anyone who needed assistance

Foreign Aid To AMERICA “This plane that will soon arrive in the United States represents the kindness of our leader and what we are capable of doing for the dispossessed, no matter where they are,” Evita wrote. “May this action and this aid which we offer with all respect and affection to the great people of the United States serve as an example as we humbly send them our little grain of sand to help.”

Education The Foundation set up a plan for the construction of one thousand schools throughout Argentina Agricultural schools, workshops, Nursery schools and daycare centers Eva Peron School of Nursing Earthquake struck Ecuador. Medical personnel from the Eva Peron Foundation flew to the neighboring country to help

Later Life Eva’s husband, Juan Peron sought re-election in 1952 and Eva hoped that his running mate would be her The working class of Argentina was overwhelmingly in favor of her becoming the Vice-President, although the military and upper class were aghast at the thought of her running the nation if her husband died In 1951, hundreds of thousands of people rallied in support of her, however she eventually decided not to become her husband’s running mate

Death In 1950, Eva was diagnosed with uterine cancer Her illness couldn’t have been stopped even through aggressive treatment like hysterectomy She passed away on July 26, 1952 at the age of 33 years old

Remains Of Evita’s Body Eva’s remains were mummified by her fluids being replaced with glycerin When Juan Peron died in 1974, their bodies were displayed side-by-side for a while until Eva was sent to her current home, Recoleta Cemetary in Buenos Aires

Evita’s Legacy The Eva Peron Foundation Established a School of Nursing Children’s Homes Hogares de Transito Women’s Rights

Museum On July 26, 2002, Eva’s grandniece Christina Alvarez Rodriguez created the Evita Musuem in Buenos Aires which is housed in a mansion constructed for the Carabassa family This building was declared a National Historical Monument in 1999

Overall Based on what we know about Latin America, did her skin color and background play a major role in the election of her husband? What influence did Eva have in the lives of Argentine women and working class? What and who encompassed Eva Peron’s support coalition?

Sources http://comunicacionpopular.com.ar/el-dia-que-eva-peron-ayudo-a-los-ninos-pobres-y-negros-de-washington/ http://www.evitaperon.org http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-18707516 O’conner and Garofalo’s Eva Peron’s Views On Women and Society in Argentina http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/historyofsouthamerica/a/evita_3.htm http://www.evitaperon.org/part3.htm