Lola Higueras Rodríguez, Susana del Río Villar and Patricia Gabaldón Quiñones
On 23 October 2024, the Rafael del Pino Foundation organised the dialogue "Women who contributed to forging the destiny of two worlds" in which the following will participate Lola Higueras Rodríguez, Susana del Río Villar y Patricia Gabaldón Quiñones.
Lola Higueras Rodríguez is an Americanist historian, pioneer of underwater archaeology and writer, who was technical director of the Spanish Naval Museum, among other relevant positions. She is a corresponding member of the Royal Academy of History and in 1988 received the Cross of Naval Merit. She has been a member of the Royal Board of Trustees of the Naval Museum of Madrid and Patron of the Alvargonzález Foundation, as well as an "Honorary Member" of the Spanish Geographical Society. As an Americanist, she has written more than 80 books and articles on the Spanish history of navigation from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Her studies and chronicles on the first circumnavigation of the world, Elcano and Magellan and her intense work on the Malaspina Scientific Expedition have been published by scientific institutions such as the Spanish Geographical Society, the Professional Association of Museologists of Spain, the Spanish Association of Friends of Archaeology, the Journal of Naval History and other scientific and professional institutions, which has made her a reference person in the field.
Susana del Río VillarDoctor Cum Laude PhD unanimously in Political Science and Sociology; Extraordinary Doctorate Award in Social and Legal Sciences. Member of the Club of Rome. Academician of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Vice-President, Salzburg, Director of the Academic Group: Uniting Europe; Expert for the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the European Parliament since 2004. Lecturer in the EU Master's programme of the Centre for Political and Constitutional Studies. Lecturer in European integration at the Diplomatic School. Member of the Committee of Independent Experts of the European Commission on Citizens and governance and Democracy in a supranational context. Author of numerous articles and four books on the European Union, the most recent one: Twelve European Women. Building the European Union, published in May 2024. Director of the Integral European Union Programme at Deusto Business School. Director of Es Unión Europea and Upgrading Europe. Director of Institutional Relations of Citizens Pro Europe. Columnist for El Correo. Director of Working Group: Convention on the Future of Europe and director of the Cycle of Sessions Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Cycle of Sessions EU Talks. Challenges of the European legislature 2024-2029 of Fide. Academic Advisor of Fide. Ambassador of Peace, recognition by the Women's World Peace Association, WLP, EU.
Patricia Gabaldón Quiñones D. in Economics from the University of Alcala, she is currently Professor of Economics at IE Business School, and Academic Director of the Economics Degree at IE University. An Excellence Fellow at the Rafael del Pino Foundation, she was also president of its Fellows Association and a member of its board of directors. Professor Gabaldón's research combines sociology and economics to understand gender and diversity issues in the decision-making of economic agents and the growth of countries. This research has been published in numerous prestigious journals, such as Harvard Business Review, Long Range Planning, or Journal of Business Ethics, while she has also collaborated with multilateral institutions and various media outlets.
Summary:
Women Who Shaped the Fate of Two Worlds: A Dialogue Between the Past and the Future
On 23 October 2024, the Rafael del Pino Foundation hosted a fascinating event entitled "Women who helped shape the destiny of two worlds", which explored the impact of historical and contemporary women in the creation of new societies and the construction of Europe. The debate featured the participation of Lola Higueras, pioneer of underwater archaeology and Americanist historian, Susana del Río, PhD in Political Science and expert on the European Union, and Patricia Gabaldón, professor of economics at IE Business School, who moderated the dialogue.
The event was a celebration and vindication of the role of women in two key eras: the era of Spanish exploration and colonisation, and the construction of the modern European Union. Although these contexts are very different, there is a clear common thread: the visibility and resilience of women who changed the course of history, often silently and undervalued.
Women in the Conquest of America: A Forgotten Legacy
Lola Higueras offered a fascinating perspective on the role of women in the process of colonisation of the Americas, a subject often ignored. The narrative of the conquest has often been dominated by male figures: conquistadors, viceroys, missionaries. However, Higueras reminded the audience that women, both Spanish and indigenous, played a decisive role in the creation of the new American societies.
One story that stood out was that of Jordana Mejía, a woman who, after being widowed twice, took the reins of an encomienda and managed its lands independently, despite the legal restrictions imposed on women by colonial societies. Mejía was not only a pioneer in encomienda administration, but also defended her indigenous workers with dignity and respect. These examples, Higueras stressed, show how women actively participated in the economic and social development of the Americas, challenging the norms imposed by patriarchy.
Another important aspect was cultural miscegenation. Higueras pointed out that women were cultural bridges that facilitated coexistence between indigenous societies and colonisers. Through their homes and daily lives, they contributed to the mixing of traditions, languages and ways of life, profoundly influencing the identity of Latin America.
Twelve Women Who Built Europe
For her part, Susana del Río offered a reflection on the role of women in the construction of the contemporary European Union. Based on her book Twelve European Women, Del Río highlighted women who, from different fields, have left an indelible mark on European politics, science and society.
Susana explained that she selected 12 women to reflect the 12 stars of the European flag, each associated with a fundamental value. These include Angela Merkel, who is linked to work; Simone Veil, who symbolises the values of the Union; and Ursula von der Leyen, who represents management. These women, Del Río argued, have been pioneers in their fields and have fought to make Europe today a more united, democratic and just continent.
The impact of these women on European politics was one of the central themes. Del Río stressed that women have been at the forefront of many crucial decisions for the future of Europe, from the enlargement of the EU to the fight for the rule of law. Isabella of Portugal, one of the historical figures mentioned in her book, also played a key role in the rule of Charles V's empire, demonstrating that women, even in difficult times, have always been present in the most important political processes.
Education as the Key to Progress
One of the recurring themes at the event was education, which both authors identified as the key driver for women's empowerment and participation in public life. In the case of the Americas, Lola Higueras highlighted how Spanish women educated indigenous and mestizo girls, not only teaching them Spanish and arithmetic, but also trades that allowed them to integrate and prosper in colonial society. These women's schools, promoted by the Spanish crown, were fundamental for cultural mixing and the creation of new elites in America.
Susana del Río, meanwhile, reflected on the impact of the Erasmus Programme, founded by Sofía Corradi, another of the women featured in her book. This programme has been an essential tool for connecting young Europeans, promoting intercultural understanding and preparing future generations of leaders. The role of education as a vehicle for social and political mobility was made clear in both interventions.
From the 15th Century to the 21st Century: Women Bridging Two Worlds
One of the most moving moments of the event was when Susana del Río spoke about Princess Leonor, whom she associates with the future in her book. She described her as a young woman prepared for the challenges of the 21st century, from security and ecological transition to the defence of democratic values in Europe. Del Río stressed that, like Isabella of Portugal in the 16th century, Leonor has the capacity to lead with firmness and vision, symbolising the future of Spain and Europe.
Lola Higueras closed her speech with a reflection on the historical legacy of women in the Americas, defending the idea that their contribution went far beyond their simple presence in the New World. Women helped build cultural bridges, administered land, educated new generations and, in many cases, challenged patriarchal structures. History has not been fair to them, but their impact has been undeniable.
Conclusion: A New Vision of History
The event "Women who helped shape the destiny of two worlds" was a powerful reminder that women have played key roles in the most important moments of history, both past and present. The conversation between Lola Higueras and Susana del Río highlighted that, although their contributions have often been invisibilised, women have always been present, educating, managing, leading and transforming society.
The Rafael del Pino Foundation is not responsible for the comments, opinions or statements made by the people who participate in its activities and which are expressed as a result of their inalienable right to freedom of expression and under their sole responsibility. The contents included in the summary of this conference are the result of the debates held at the meeting held for this purpose at the Foundation and are the responsibility of their authors.
The Rafael del Pino Foundation is not responsible for any comments, opinions or statements made by third parties. In this respect, the FRP is not obliged to monitor the views expressed by such third parties who participate in its activities and which are expressed as a result of their inalienable right to freedom of expression and under their own responsibility. The contents included in the summary of this conference are the result of the discussions that took place during the conference organised for this purpose at the Foundation and are the sole responsibility of its authors.
