The 8th March, officially declared by the UN in 1975, is a day that vindicates all women and full equality of rights. A day that celebrates the rights that we, women, have won in all areas and commemorates the long history of struggles and sacrifices to achieve them. The struggle for gender equality is far from over; we still face challenges such as the pay gap, gender-based violence and discrimination in all its forms. However, if we come together in solidarity, we can create a future in which all women have the opportunity to reach their full potential and live free and dignified lives.
At Libros de las Malas Compañías, we wish to highlight the relevance of this day and honour the courage, strength and influence of women in all their forms. We believe in the transformative power of literature to amplify women's voices, tell diverse stories and challenge conventional narratives.
As part of our Women collection, Wonderful Women is a call to explore the rich female history of a neighbourhood. Following in the footsteps of diverse female figures, such as actresses, thinkers, saleswomen, lawyers, nuns, nobles, activists, poets, or journalists, we embark on a journey to discover the transformation of a part of Madrid, originally known as “El Refugio”. In the same way, Lady Travellers of the Atlantic invites us to explore the lives of twenty women who defied social conventions by travelling between America and Europe from the 16th to the 20th century. These women, far from the traditional roles imposed by society, found in travel a way to connect with the world and to discover their own path. Tales from Madrid, by Emilia Pardo Bazán, is a collection of 14 stories that have the city of Madrid as their protagonist. These stories show a wide range of female characters who, regardless of their social class, struggle to achieve their goals. Finally, Christmas in Madrid and Enjoyable Nights tells the stories shared by the guests of Doña Lucrecia de Haro's house during a cold Christmas night. These stories explore the amiable and domestic side of the Spanish Golden Age, while also addressing the gender and class conflicts that reflect the unbalanced and combative atmosphere of the same century.
Also, due to our commitment to the visibility of women in different areas of life, two new books, Cinema Women and Lady Travellers of the Middle Ages, will go to press next week and will be available for distribution at the end of March. In addition, the pre-sale of both books will take place this week. On the one hand, Cinema Women is a book that seeks to honour the memory and legacy of 30 Spanish film actresses who have left a profound mark on our film industry. In an environment where opportunities for women are often limited, this book seeks to rescue and celebrate the talent and career of these great artists as well as to serve as a window for new generations to appreciate and learn about their contribution to the world of Spanish cinema. On the other hand, Lady Travellers of the Middle Ages, as the title implies, is an essay on a number of adventurous women who engaged in travel in the Middle Ages.
Ultimately, International Women's Day is a day to recognise the progress made in the struggle for gender equality, as well as to reflect on the challenges we still face. It is a reminder that together we can achieve meaningful change and build a more equitable and just world for all people, regardless of gender. Let us continue to work together towards that goal and honour the legacy of all the extraordinary women who have gone before us.
