PODCAST TRANSCRIPT

Pablo: Welcome everyone to our podcast! My name is Pablo…

Lorenzo: And my name is Lorenzo. Today we are going to talk about Ernestina Otero, a very important woman to our city. And like always, we are going to ask questions to make you pay attention

Pablo: That’s right! She was a teacher that fought for women’s rights in education. She also supported the first Statute of Autonomy of Galicia in 1936, but it wasn’t published because Franco started the Civil War.

Lorenzo: She was born in Redondela in 1890, over 130 years ago, and she was the oldest of 7 siblings. She studied there primary school and moved to Pontevedra in 1904.

Pablo: She obtained the grade of Superior Teacher with the highest scores, an exceptional honour to a woman in 1908, and then went to Madrid where she kept studying to be a better teacher, her beloved job.

Lorenzo: Yes, obviously she was happy with her career. Ernestina finished her studies in 1913, after she had learnt about innovative teaching methods. She tried to implant them when she entered the Normal School in Pontevedra as a pedagogy teacher. This school was located where nowadays you can find the Diputación de Pontevedra.

Pablo: With the Second Republic, new opportunities came for her to renovate the educational system. The authorities trusted Ernestina and gave her the freedom to do activities such as:

● An experiment

● A canteen

● A charity closet

● School trips to historical places and museums, among others.

Lorenzo: Did you know she also became the director of the Magisterio School and the president of the Provincial Council of First Education?

Pablo: Oh, I didn't know that! Through these responsibilities, she fomented the studies of the history and culture of Galicia. In february 1933, she supported the creation of the Statute of Autonomy of Galicia. There were only 2 women! What do you think about that Lorenzo?

Lorenzo: In my opinion there had to be more women, but maybe they didn’t support the process because of Franco's violence or because they were afraid of being women surrounded by men because men thought that women were less intelligent than men.

Pablo: I agree with you. Maybe it’s real that there weren’t any other women with enough studies and knowledge to understand those politics or what you have said. We don’t know.

Lorenzo: Yes, we don’t know, but now it’s question time!

Pablo: Wow. Now? Ok, but I don’t know if I am prepared.

Lorenzo: I hope so, my friend. As you know, Pablo has a bad answer rate, so let me see if he can improve it. Here is the question: What did Ernestina study?

a) Pedagogy

b) Primary School

c) Politics

Pablo: Hehehe, I know this one! the answer is … a) Pedagogy.

Lorenzo: Correct!

Pablo: Yeaaaaah! Finally I did it!

Lorenzo: Later it will be another question, so don’t celebrate it yet…

Pablo: Yes, but I will ask YOU a question.

Lorenzo: Well, after this little break, can I continue?

Pablo: Of course.

Lorenzo: Her life drastically changed when the war started. She got fired from her job, she was put on some sort of list with other people like Castelao to try to change their political thoughts: if they didn’t change it, they were going to be kill.

Pablo: Oh! That’s horrible! She came back to Redondela and started to give support classes, and a percentage of what she won she needed to spend it paying her fines. She was so generous, so she shared the little amount of money that she had with the people in need that became poor because of the war. What happened next?

Lorenzo: Well, when the war ended she got her job back, but she had to go to Ourense. Also, she couldn't apply for a headmaster job, but at least she was able to teach.

Pablo: Finally, she returned to Pontevedra in 1951 and she suddenly died in Redondela in 1956 with 76 years.

Lorenzo: How sad. Imagine the great things she could've done if she lived a little longer.

Pablo: Yes. but that’s the law of life. We can’t do anything…

Lorenzo: Weren't you going to ask me something?

Pablo: I almost forgot it!

Lorenzo: Say it to me.

Pablo: Ok, the question is: How many women didn't know how to write their names at the end of the 19th century?

a) 97%

b) 98%

c) 96%

Lorenzo: Hmmm. I would go with c) 96 percent

Pablo: Sorry, but let me tell you that it’s incorrect! The correct answer is b) 98%.

Lorenzo: That much? Well, I hope I’ll do it better next time…

Pablo: Yes, but let me explain it. Most people lived in rural areas in poor conditions, so they had difficulty going to school. This added to the fact that the society was so sexist that women couldn’t have any chance of studying. That’s an example of the education of women in those times. That’s why Ernestina worked hard all her life to try to change this and to make women free and not obligated to do everything with a husband.

Lorenzo: Oh that was interesting. She was very important to nowadays’ society

Pablo: Well, that was difficult… Do you want another easier question?

Lorenzo: Whatever you want.

Pablo: Ok. Listen: What other building was designed by the same person who designed the actual Deputation?

a) The Castelao Museum

b) Pontevedra’s City Council

c) The Tower of Hercules

Lorenzo: This time I would say the b) Pontevedra’s City Council.

Pablo: The correct answer is the b), you said the correct!

Lorenzo: Yesss, a draw!

Pablo: Exactly. I’m happy, I haven’t lost like always/as usual. The actual Deputation was where Ernestina did/taught her classes.

Lorenzo: Really? That’s very interesting.

Pablo: And that’s all for today, I hope you liked and enjoyed our podcast and see you next Friday.

Lorenzo: Remember to put in the comments how many questions did you get correct! Byeee.