Pintasilgo, Maria de Lurdes (1930–2004)

Portuguese politician, social activist, and author. Name variations: Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo or Pintassilgo. Born Jan 18, 1930, in Abrantes, Portugal; died July 11, 2004, in Lisbon, Portugal; first child of Jaime de Matos Pintasilgo (textile merchant) and Amélia Ruivo da Silva; graduate of Superior Technical Institute, 1953.

As a scientist, was part of Portugal's Nuclear Energy Commission's 1st research team; worked for the Companhia União Fabril (CUF, 1954–60), the 1st woman employed there in research and development; served as president of Catholic Feminine University Youth (1952–56) and then headed Pax Romana, the International Movement of Catholic Students (1956–58); lived in France (1964–69), where she was international vice-president of a Catholic organization (Graal) intended to modernize the Church in keeping with Vatican II; returned to Portugal (1969); served as procuradora (attorney) for the Corporative Chamber (1969–74); also headed a governmental committee that evolved into the Commission of the Feminine Condition; after the overthrow of the Salazar dictatorship (1974), held offices in the 1st three provisional governments, at one point serving as secretary of state for social security; represented Portugal at UNESCO and was elected to its executive council (1975–79); named prime minister of a caretaker government until new elections were held (1979); following the election, served as adviser to President Eanes (1981–85); thereafter, occupied a post on the University Council of the UN and founded the Movement for the Deepening of Democracy (1983); was an unsuccessful candidate for the presidency of Portugal; represented her country in the European Parliament (1986–89); writings include Sulcos do Nosso Querer Comum (1980), Imaginar a Igreja (1980), Les Nouveaux Féminismes: Question pour le Chrétiens (1980), Dimensões da mudança (1985) and As Minhas Respostas (1985).

See also Women in World History.