Description
KNOW-IT-ALLS, FRIVOLOUS AND DANGEROUS
Book Summary
This historical essay reconstructs the fascinating trajectory of the Lyceum Club Femenino in Madrid, the pioneering institution of feminism in Spain. On its centenary, the work rescues the memory of figures such as Clara Campoamor, Victoria Kent, Zenobia Camprubí, and Elena Fortún, who challenged the social conventions of the 1920s. Through rigorous research, the book offers a revealing look at how these women created their own space for emancipation, culture, and political action, facing disparagement and prejudice while laying the foundations for the fight for women's rights in our country.
What is it about?
The work delves into the history of the Lyceum Club Femenino, founded in 1926 in Madrid's iconic Casa de las Siete Chimeneas. Rocío González Naranjo narrates how a group of exceptional women—lawyers, writers, educators, and activists—joined forces to create a space for female emancipation. For a decade, these pioneers developed intense cultural, political, and social activity that broke the mold: they organized conferences with the leading intellectual figures of the time, created the first secular and free childcare service, and revitalized an environment where, for the first time, women were the protagonists. The book also captures the harsh criticism they received, being labeled "know-it-alls, frivolous, and dangerous," all while fighting to build a more egalitarian future.
Main themes
- History of feminism in Spain during the 1920s
- Intellectual and social emancipation of women in the first third of the 20th century
- The creation of female support networks and spaces of cultural power
- Patriarchal resistance and the disparagement of pioneer women
- The cultural and political legacy of the Lyceum Club Femenino in contemporary Spain
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in the history of feminism, social movements, and Spanish historical memory. It is especially relevant for those who wish to learn about the role of women in the construction of modern Spain, as well as for students and professionals in history, sociology, and gender studies. It will also appeal to those seeking to understand how the first women's organizations laid the foundations for the rights we enjoy today.
What this book contributes
- A documented and revealing vision of a key institution in the history of Spanish feminism, in the year of its centenary
- The rescue of essential female figures whose contributions have often been silenced
- A contextualized analysis of the difficulties and achievements of pioneer women in a hostile environment
- A reflection on the relevance of feminist struggles through a specific historical episode
Technical specifications
- Author: GONZALEZ NARANJO, ROCIO
- Publisher: HOJA DE LATA EDITORIAL
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: SOCIAL ISSUES AND PROCESSES, FEMINISM AND FEMINIST THEORY
- Collection: MECANOCLASTIA
- Publication date: April 2026
- Number of pages: 384
- Weight: 935 g
Editorial review
This work constitutes a solid and necessary contribution to Spanish feminist historiography. Rocío González Naranjo manages to combine academic rigor with an accessible narrative, offering the reader an immersion into a foundational moment for feminism in our country. The book stands out for its ability to contextualize the struggles of the past and connect them with current debates, making it a read of interest for both specialists and the general public. Its publication coincides with the centenary of the Lyceum Club, adding commemorative value to research that recovers the memory of women who deserve to be remembered.