Rosario Castellanos: Legacy of Mexican feminism and intersectionality

Rosario Castellanos (1925–1974) was a prominent Mexican poet, philosopher, writer, and diplomat whose work remains a vital subject of analysis for her contributions to feminism and intersectionality.

Studying philosophy at UNAM, Castellanos explored questions of female culture and the roles imposed on women long before feminism had a significant public presence in Mexico. Her work addressed gender inequality, the exclusion of women from academic and political spaces, and the complexities of motherhood and domestic labor.

Crucially, Castellanos linked gender discrimination with other forms of oppression, such as racism and the marginalization of indigenous peoples. Her legacy is noted for its clear consciousness of the dual condition of being both a woman and Mexican.