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Bertha LutzBrazilian zoologist, public figure, politician and diplomat
Date of Birth: 02.08.1894
Country:  Brazil |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Zoological Career
- Feminist and Suffrage Activism
- International Recognition
- Political Career
- United Nations Involvement
- Legacy
Early Life and Education
Berta Lutz was born in São Paulo to Adolfo Lutz, a Swiss physician and epidemiologist, and Amy Marie Gertrude Fowler, a British nurse. In 1918, she graduated from the Sorbonne University in Paris with a degree in natural sciences, specializing in biology and zoology.
Zoological Career
Upon her return to Brazil, Lutz pursued a career in zoology at the National Museum of Brazil. She specialized in venomous dart frogs, and three species of frogs and two species of lizards were later named after her.
Feminist and Suffrage Activism
In 1919, Lutz founded the League for the Intellectual Emancipation of Women and represented Brazil at the International Congress of Working Women and the Women's International Council of the International Labour Organization. In 1922, she established the Brazilian Federation for the Progress of Women, which advocated for the right to vote and other freedoms for women.
International Recognition
Lutz attended the Pan-American Conference of Women in Baltimore and became president of the Inter-American Union of Women in 1925. She was instrumental in securing women's suffrage in Brazil in 1931.
Political Career
In 1933, Lutz earned a law degree. She ran for the Brazilian National Congress in 1935 and became president of the Convention after Cândido Pessoa's death.
United Nations Involvement
Lutz represented Brazil at the United Nations conference and was one of the signatories of its Charter. She played a significant role in the human rights movement.
Legacy
Berta Lutz died in 1976 at the age of 83. She remains a prominent figure in both the Pan-American feminist and human rights movements. Her work as a zoologist, suffragist, diplomat, and politician continues to inspire and empower women around the world.
