Inmaculada Alva: "The tenacity and perseverance of Piedad de la Cierva are an example for today's young women".

From November 19, 2024 to March 14, 2025, the Library Services Central of the University of Navarra will host the exhibition "Piedad de la Cierva: pioneer, visionary and scientist". Organized by the Center of programs of study Josemaría Escrivá, the sample has the support of the Government of Navarra, which has financed it through the Cosmos 2024 program, and its aim is to rescue the goal report of Piedad de la Cierva, whose bequest continues to be an inspiration source for new generations.

The exhibition opens with a roundtable, entitled Mujeres que inspiran (Women who inspire), on Tuesday, November 19 at 12:00 at entrance hall of the Library Services Central of the University of Navarra. This event brings together Inmaculada Alva (UN), Sergio Barbero (CSIC), Gurutze Pérez (UPNA) and Ana Rouzaut (UN), to talk about women, science and technology, a fundamental topic in the life of Piedad de la Cierva.

The exhibition, designed by Carlos Bernar and Juan Luis Roquette, recreates the atmosphere of research in the mid-twentieth century and immerses the visitor in an environment inspired by European and American technological functionalism, highlighting the materials and objects of science, laboratory and energy. This installation aims to highlight the importance of Piedad de la Cierva and the value of her scientific work .

In this context, we had the opportunity to interview historian Inmaculada Alva, who has reconstructed the biography and career of this pioneer of Spanish science.

What motivated Piedad de la Cierva to follow a scientific degree program at a time when few women did so?

Piedad's father played a crucial role in motivating her to study science. He believed that the twentieth century was the century of women and was determined to give his daughter a Education equal to that of boys. To this end, he hired private tutors to ensure her training. Piedad always remembered how she fell in love with science thanks to the physics classes and Chemistry of one of her teachers. 

From that moment on, it was clear to her that she wanted to dedicate herself to Chemistry. Although her father wanted Piedad to study pharmacy, she preferred research, as the idea of working in a store did not appeal to her. Moreover, as a believer, Piedad saw science as a way to contemplate the wonders of God, which also inspired her deeply in her scientific vocation.

Could you share any specific achievement that has marked Piedad de la Cierva's influence in the scientific field?

In Spain, Piedad de la Cierva was a pioneer in the programs of study on artificial radiation; her thesis focused on this topic. To go deeper, she was trained at the Niels Bohr Institute in Denmark, where she had the opportunity to meet figures of great prestige and trajectory. Piedad had planned to promote a center of this subject in Spain, but this project was interrupted by the Civil War.

Another of his most important achievements was his work in optical glass. Although he did not invent it, he achieved a significant breakthrough by promoting the industrialization of this material in Spain. By the mid-1940s, there were few countries where optical glass was industrialized. After specializing in the United States, he returned to Madrid and formed a team of work composed of four chemists, an assistant laboratory and five operators. With the first test furnace built, they began to obtain optical glass, which, according to what Piedad details in his memoirs, had a level of almost total purity. 

The creation of a refractory brick was also an innovation B. Inspired by international programs of study and memories from her childhood, when she saw blocks of ice wrapped in rice husks to keep them insulated, Piedad began to investigate the refractory properties of this material. Together with Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri, she developed a refractory brick using rice husks, ideal for use in boilers. Although today there are modern alternatives, at the time it was an innovative solution.

What were the main challenges faced by Piedad throughout her scientific career?

The first major challenge was to prove her worth in a male-dominated field. While her colleagues were recognized as competent scientists from the start, she had to constantly strive to have her talent valued. Eventually, however, her achievements spoke for themselves, and she was recognized with extraordinary awards on her programs of study.

As for discrimination, he did not suffer it continuously, although there were occasional moments in his degree program where he experienced it. It was always a challenge to move naturally and professionally in that environment.

Another important challenge was the lack of bibliography and resources in her areas of research. In each project, Piedad had to collect and study as much information as possible, something that meant a great effort for her to carry out scientific trials with a limited knowledge . But it was her perseverance that opened many doors for her, such as her position at the Institute of Optics and in the Navy.

As daunting as the scientific process can be, where there is often no guarantee of success, she never gave up. She was indefatigable, meticulous and, despite the frustration inherent in testing and experimentation, she pressed on, becoming an exemplary scientist.

How were women viewed and treated in academia and research in Spain during the 20th century?

During the period in which Piedad developed her degree program, women were just beginning to make their way into these environments and, in many cases, their presence was not well received. Doubts were cast on their ability to carry out scientific work, since the prevailing idea was that it was proper for a woman to marry and dedicate herself almost exclusively to the home. The few women who did not follow this path and dedicated themselves to science were seen as a rarity. Despite this mentality, Piedad found professors who supported her and believed in her talent, but this was not common.

In terms of real opportunities, women who wanted to do academic degree program had an extremely difficult time. For example, the first female Chair in Spain was not achieved until 1953 in the area of Pedagogy.. Before that, women used to work as assistants at Chair, with lower salaries than their male colleagues. In the case of Piedad, in 1940 she applied for a competitive examination for Chair, but there was a tacit agreement that the position would not be for a woman. The conference proceedings of the board reflects how her merits were undervalued, mentioning that many of her publications were in partnership, which -according to them- showed a lack of creativity and autonomy. However, he had collaborated with renowned figures, such as George von Hevesi, award Nobel laureate of Chemistry, which really added value to his career.

Currently, I am working on examples and profiles of women who have integrated science and faith in their lives. I have published on the Internet more than a hundred biographical sketches of women scientists, many of them can be found in Religion in Freedom, Ecclesia magazine and Cope.

A couple of years ago, the Government of Navarra asked me to write about María Josefa Molera Mayo, a Navarre scientist and pioneer in the study of the Coca Cola formula and combustion expert, who spent her whole life dedicated to science and was the first Navarre scientist in history. Her biography will be part of a collection of books dedicated to highlighting influential female figures in science.

The Center of programs of study Josemaría Escrivá (CEJE), where she works as a researcher, is organizing a exhibition on Piedad de la Cierva. What motivated the choice of this figure to carry out the sample?

Piedad de la Cierva is a pioneering woman in her time, both in science and in her commitment to her vocation in Opus Dei, and her life reflects two values. On the one hand, she was a woman who developed her full potential in a male-dominated field, and on the other, she lived her vocation in Opus Dei with great conviction, fully integrating her love for science and her faith.

A reflection that she herself left in her memoirs captures this choice well: when she asked herself if God was asking more of her, she resisted because she deeply loved her work in science. But in her meeting with Opus Dei she understood that both loves, her scientific vocation and her love of God, could coexist and complement each other. In fact, he discovered that by doing science he could also love God. This integration of faith and scientific work is a central value of Opus Dei and an inspiration for the CEJE, so we believe it is important to highlight his figure in these two respects.

What impact do you expect this exhibition to have on the university community and the general public?

I think it will have a very positive impact. It is essential that the exhibition has a good diffusion, because Piedad de la Cierva, like other scientists of her time, is beginning to be recognized. Giving prominence to figures like Piedad, and to other women who also made valuable contributions, will help to get more people interested in their history.

In addition, this exhibition financial aid to break the prejudices that have led to believe that women did not have a relevant role in science until the 80s. Piedad, like other women who struggled in a difficult environment, demonstrates that women have been an active part of science, despite the barriers.

Finally, I hope she inspires many scientific vocations. I believe that the tenacity and perseverance of Piedad de la Cierva are an example for today's young women. With this sample, in addition to making her figure known, we want to transmit to them that, like Piedad, they can achieve great things if they persevere and dedicate themselves with enthusiasm to what they love.