By Julia May

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Lewis

Abstract

In the Age of the Enlightenment, women of nobility in Spain began to gain some authority to make important contributions to society in various ways. Through examining primary and secondary sources, and records from museums and archives in Madrid, we are able to gain insight into the political and social achievements of these women. By breaking away from male-dominated spaces, these women’s groups had the opportunity to hold their own power and make a change in their community. This research will explore the social and political improvements of the female trailblazers that came before them in the tertulias all while emphasizing the importance of the women’s movement at this time.