Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo and Portuguese Society

Abstract

Given that the social structures shape and often determine the identity of the individuals who are part of a specific culture and society, it seemed important to analyze how Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo managed to break some though structures and to create new social practices which granted women a new social role.To what extent does the political, economic, social and cultural transformation that took place in Portugal in the second half of the twentieth century allowed Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo the representation of the role as woman, technician, ecclesial and political representative? Which cultural structures have meanwhile changed and influenced the development of the woman status in Portuguese society? How does the national and international society represent Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo? The documentary and bibliographical research allowed the analysis of the cultural codes that regulated the social practices of the Portuguese society during the Estado Novo dictatorship. At a time and in a country where women were pushed aside from active participation in politics, Maria de Lourdes stands out. We believe that the constant need for confrontation, her intellectual creativity and her faith greatly contributed for the prestige and projection she reached national and internationally.