An unlikely friendship? Isabel de Palencia and Alexandra Kollontay

pp. 45-67 This article explores Isabela de Palencia’s narrative of the extraordinary friendship between Alexandra Kollontay and herself, highlighting the intersections of their lives as chronicled in Palencia’s autobiographical works –I Must Have Liberty (1940) and her biography of Kollontay (1947). Their bond illustrates how two women, despite differing backgrounds, emerged as social reformers, feminists, and agents of change in their respective countries. It underscores how the shared experience of exile transcended ideological and cultural divides, fostering networks that eased the burdens of displacement. Notably, their relationship significantly influenced Kollontay’s diplomatic endeavors for the Spanish Republic at the League of Nations and in Sweden. While these similarities may have been emphasized or shaped by Palencia’s perspective, they also reflect genuine intersections in the lives of two remarkable women navigating the challenges of their times. These two literary accounts reveal how the two women navigated their roles as pioneering diplomats and offer alternative perspectives on the conflicts shaping their lives, diverging from mainstream historical narratives. Ultimately, the article advocates for a shift in focus from national to transnational perspectives, emphasizing the interconnectedness of historical experiences.