El viaje de Cecilia Grierson

This book recovers letters written by Cecilia Grierson during her trip to Europe, a journey centered on her attendance at the International Women’s Congress in London. In them, she recounts her perspective on a world she had previously known only through her reading. While the Avenida de Mayo was the great new marvel in Buenos Aires, Paris and London—at the height of the Victorian era—were truly imposing. Grierson takes pride in her command of the English language—noted as having a “Scottish accent”—yet remains profoundly Argentine. It is also noteworthy that she traveled with her mate (a traditional South American herbal tea), drinking it whenever she felt homesick for her homeland.

Her contributions were significant: “I had to take the floor three times this week—at the Countess of Aberdeen’s luncheon, and again yesterday at a meeting hosted by Mrs. Mary Wright Sewall (the founder of this Council). I made sure to sing the praises of the Argentine Republic, portraying it as a land of freedom and generosity—so much so that I believe many may well decide to head there.”

“What has struck me most is the ease with which all these women speak in public—and, above all, their extraordinary, varied accents. They engage in debate just like ‘men’—or so we would say back home—and they do so with genuine talent. In truth, they are the most exceptional women from each of their respective nations.”