Violeta Barrios de Chamorro

PRESIDENT
FIRST female president of Nicaragua
Married the editor of La Prensa, a newspaper that was often raided and censored by the government because it criticized Nicaragua's dictator
Her husband was imprisoned several times and eventually assassinated in 1978, leaving her with four children
Took over La Prensa after his death and continued to condemn the country's dictatorship
When the regime fell in 1979, Chamorro joined the junta that replaced it, but soon resigned because she didn't agree with their plans for the country
Under Chamorro's leadership, La Prensa spoke out in opposition to the new ruling party, and a new round of raids and censorship of the paper began, lasting throughout the 1980s
Served as president from 1990 to 1997, successfully lowering inflation, ending the U.S.-backed militia, and depoliticizing the army
Sought reconciliation rather than retaliation with the previous government, and led the 20th century's FIRST peaceful transition of political leadership in the country
After leaving office, she and her family started the Violeta B Chamorro Fundacion, which promotes civic participation and defends freedom of expression
La Prensa continues to be one of Nicaragua's major news outlets

photo via www.councilwomenworldleaders.org

Bibliography: Gonzalez-Rivera, Victoria. “Barrios de Chamorro, Violeta.” The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History, Oxford University Press, 2008, p. 203-204.

Support these organizations dedicated to preserving her story & mission:

La Prensa
Violeta B Chamorro Fundacion

Books by this Awesome Woman

Research

DREAMS OF THE HEART: The Autobiography of President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro of Nicaragua

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History

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