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The following publication is at position by Teresa Tabuenca, student of language and Spanish Literature. In it, Teresa reflects on the female referents in our literature. When we talk about the Generation of '27 we systematically think of Luis Cernuda, Rafael Alberti, Pedro Salinas, Federico García Lorca and many other writers who developed their literary work between 1920 and 1930. However, in this long list of famous literary figures, the name of no woman is usually mentioned. Were there no women writers at the beginning of the 20th century?

She also belongs to the Generation of '27

Spanish women of this period faced many difficulties in gaining access to Education, culture and public life. Despite this, some managed to make their way in Spanish society, marked by strong gender discrimination, and fill in their academic programs of study to reach a high cultural level.

On the cover of the Anthology of Spanish Poetrycompiled by Gerardo Diego in 1914, it is surprising to recognize two female names: Ernestina de Champourcín and Josefina de la Torre, who remain semi-hidden among male names. However, they are not the only women writers of the generation. Concha Méndez, Carmen Conde and María Zambrano were also part of the movement and contributed significantly to the literature of the time, although they never received the recognition they deserved.

This is due, among other reasons, to the fact that some of them are related to brilliant writers who, in the patriarchal Spanish society, overshadow women. Some of these marriages between literary figures are those of María Teresa León y Rafael Alberti, Maria Goyri y Ramón Menéndez Pidalas well as Zenobia Camprubí y Juan Ramón Jiménez.   

It is in this context that the Lyceum Club Femeninoa cultural institution founded in Madrid in 1926. Its goal is promote the Education and the development intellectual of these "forgotten" but educated and talented women. Women who were forbidden to entrance to the casinos and who, sometimes, were judged for holding gatherings in cafés. At the time of its foundation, the center had 115 members, including, in addition to the aforementioned writers, painters such as Maruja Mallo and the lawyers Victoria Kent and Clara Campoamor.

This feminist institution is widely criticized by the most conservative sectors and its members face accusations of conspiracy and even threats of imprisonment or hospitalization.

Inspired by a London Lyceum founded a few years earlier, the Spanish institution was born from the desire of some women to relate to each other beyond the sphere of the home and, in the case of women writers, to promote their literary production. It constitutes a space of discussion and exchange cultural in which conferences and concerts are held, courses are given and exhibitions are organized . In the words of its president, María de Maeztu, the Lyceum tries to attend the girls who strive to make their way in the literary or artistic world.

In addition, the members join together to actively intervene, in a peaceful spirit, in the cultural and social problems of the country . They question the legal status of their gender and try to enact changes to some laws that oppress women, but their proposals are rejected. This does not prevent them from carrying out other initiatives such as the creation of a day care center, the Casa del Niño, and a Library Services for the blind.

With the arrival of the Second Republic, the Lyceum Club Femenino became the germ of the discussion on women's suffrage. and an ideological polarization is produced that motivates the foundation of other centers, such as the association Female from Education Cívica, which offers classes to women who do not have the opportunity to attend college.

With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1936, its operation was suspended and some of its members went into exile, while others were purged. The rest of the members went back into the shadows.

These women, known as Las Sinsombrerohave been excluded for many years from most of the historical narratives of the Generation of '27 despite their important contribution to Spanish literature. Through their works, they liberate literary conventions and reflect their concerns, giving voice to issues such as feminism, social justice and democracy. In final, they open the way to the inclusion of women in the History of Spain and, for this reason, they should and deserve to be recognized as relevant writers of the so-called "Generation of '27".

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