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Sunday 9 March 2014

Women on Sunday Stamps

As March is Women's History Month the theme Viridian chose for us this week was women on stamps. This caused me to examine my stamps more closely to find out more about the women depicted.

Spain
This is Maria Pacheco (1496 - 1531) from the House of Mendoza. She successfully led the defence of Toledo against royalist forces  after the death of her husband at the Battle of Villalar in 1521.

Kerstin Hesselgren had a battle of a different kind,

Kerstin Hesselgren (1872 - 1962)
Kerstin was the first woman elected to the Swedish Parliament's Upper Chamber when women obtained the vote in 1921.

She appeared on Swedish stamps commemorating the 50th anniversary of female suffrage in 1971.

Sweden
The dangers of the Internet showed themselves when i took up Google's offer to translate "Rostratt for kvinnor" and it gave me initially "Stainless Steering Wheel for Women!" It's "Female Suffrage" I then found out.

There are more women to admire on Viridianpostcard.blogspot.co.uk/

14 comments:

Mail Adventures said...

Very different women on stamps you found. I have never seen the first stamp, tough I'm Spanish. Did you know that Maria Pacheco is also known as "The She-lion of Castle"?

Mail Adventures said...

Sorry, I meant "Castile", not *Castle.

Bob Scotney said...

Thanks, Hawwa. No. I didn't know.

Postcardy said...

Google comes up with some odd translations, but they usually aren't as funny as that one.

Lisa B said...

Interesting stamps, I really like seeing the history that makes it onto a stamp. Thanks for the warning re. the translation :).

Jo said...

I rather like stainless steering wheel for women. I must try and remember that.

Joy said...

You've combined the pen and the sword here Bob and a contrasting style of stamp design. Interesting.

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I, for one, am very grateful for the stainless steel steering wheel.

Little Nell said...

You made me smile with that translation, and once again my knowledge has been expanded. I just need to hold on to the information until it pops up in a pub quiz!

VioletSky said...

Maria Pacheco was so very young.
Usually I am just frustrated with some translations, but the stainless steering wheel is a gem!

viridian said...

The steering wheel to guide us down the road? though it is our hands on the wheel - our work will make it easier for our daughters and nieces.
Thank you Bob for participating this week!

luvlinens said...

Great Post. We will never forget the accuracy of the definition, "Stainless Steering Wheel for Women!"

♥ Willa @ Postage Journal♥ said...

It's nice to meet these great women who help shape the world.

Willa @ Postage Journal: My Sunday Stamp

Heleen said...

She-lions and Steerswomen...
Very interesting stamps showing two strong women who steered clear of large resisting rocks. Thank you for posting, Bob!