Memories of women's militancy before the Coup d'état in Chile (Valparaíso)

Abstract

This work deals with the links between Gender and Social Memories of Dictatorship in Chile, focusing on the political trajectories of left-wing female activists. We begin by problematizing the connections between Gender and Memory, followed by an analysis of the beginning of these women's political activity. We draw from a Life History methodology to learn about women who participated as young activists during the Popular Union, were politically persecuted after the Coup d'état, were involved in resistance groups, and remain politically active today. The analysis explores the way gender is reproduced and challenged in the making of a memory of the recent past. Departing from there, we conclude about the appropriateness of a Women's Standpoint as a starting one, as Feminist Epistemologies claim, in order to articulate Social Memory and Gender.