Whenever I told people that I would be studying in Argentina, I almost always got the same reaction. A new rendition of Madonna’s portrayal as Eva Peron. And yet, not many people could tell me who Eva Peron actually was outside of her political position. So let me start at the beginning, with her story.
Eva started her life born into a poor family in Argentina. She had four siblings, and after her father’s young death, she was raised by her mother. When she got older, Eva became an actress, and then first lady of Argentina. She became an inspiration to the people, a figure who fought for women’s rights and the rights of the poor. She created a foundation, the Eva Peron Foundation. She was a person born of the people, and willing to fight for those same people.
I believe this quote is important, as she is thought by many to be an angel, but my spanish professor Thomas said it best, “She was a revolutionary.” and her words continued to echo that same truth.
“I know that you will pick up my name and carry it to victory as a banner”
Eva Peron
Unfortunately, her death came quickly at the age of 44 due to cervical cancer. But the reality is, her death may have come but her legacy lives on. This is why she is known as Evita Immortal.
It was during my tour of Museo Evita that the topic of her popularity came up, and this truly impressed me. I learned that she was not the most popular in the richer communities, which had me questioning why a center for her foundation would have been placed in Palermo, one of the richer areas of Buenos Aires. She did this to promote a combining of the two classes, and to this day her museum still stands in Palermo. She also wanted to not just give to those in poverty, but bring them up. She spoke out, saying, “Charity separates the rich from the poor, aid raises the needy and sets him on the same level with the rich.”
I believe that a lot of the human rights movements and aid present today in Argentina is largely due to Eva Peron. For example, the bandana’s used to symbolize support for issues such as women’s rights, separation of church and state, and abortion laws. Eva Peron put much of this in motion. Evita Immortal will have a lasting legacy on the country of Buenos Aires.
The tension between the socioeconomic classes are still present, nevertheless, just as Eva stood strong against those who would go against her, so do the people of the lower class. The museum still stands, the fight for equality still struggles on, and the Peronists and Peronistas continue to carry her name, Eva Peron, to victory as a banner.
A Business Students Diary 