Feminist History: Forgotten Women Writers of the Generation of 1927 in Spain

This study primarily focuses on the women writers of the Generation of 1927 in Spain who rose to prominence in the 1920s. Often referred to as Las Sinsombrero, these women writers have made significant contributions to gender equality and literature; however, despite their outstanding achievements, knowledge of this literary movement tends to focus only on the male writers, and it is only in recent years that the women writers in this generation have been rediscovered. The historical context in which these writers emerged—a period marked by the rise of feminism in Spain—is considered as an important part of understanding the development of Spanish women’s history. A defining feature of this era was the development of women’s education, from its beginnings in the 18th century to legal advancements in the 19th century. This progress continued into the early 20th century with the establishment of influential institutions like the Residencia de señoritas and the Lyceum Club, which propelled women’s education into practice. These institutions fostered the growth and exchange of feminist ideas, allowed women writers to express their thoughts and needs, and offered women a space to escape from the traditional role of acting as caretakers in the home. Against the backdrop of this rise in women’s education, Las Sinsombrero wrote about women’s consciousness and rights, encompassing a wide range of literary genres, including drama, poetry, novels, and even film scripts. Among the many outstanding women writers of this generation, we have selected Carmen Conde (1907-1996), Concha Méndez (1898-1986), and Luisa Carnés (1905-1964) for our comparative analysis. Their diverse and rich contributions exemplify the literary characteristics of the women writers of the Generation of ‘27 in Spain. Understanding their contributions is crucial for recognizing their significant role in shaping contemporary Spanish literature and advancing women’s rights. An analysis of their lives and the characteristics of their works can reveal both the commonalities and differences within the women writers of the Generation of ‘27 and illuminate the path of women’s liberation in Spain.