The lecture, titled Despertar el olvido. El decisivo papel de las mujeres españolas en las Indias (Awakening the Forgotten. The Decisive Role of Spanish Women in the Indies), is based on Higueras's eponymous book, a historical popularization work that rescues from oblivion hundreds of women who, in the 16th century, crossed the ocean and were pillars in the building of the New World.
Far from being mere companions, these women governed territories, founded cities, led expeditions, and participated in battles—roles unthinkable for women in Europe at the time. The author emphasizes the harsh conditions of sea voyages, marked by disease, storms, and the constant risk of shipwreck.
The book does not focus solely on renowned historical figures, but pays special attention to the many anonymous women who, leaving almost no documentary trace, decisively contributed to forging a new, mixed, and diverse cultural identity.
Among the prominent figures is Isabel de Barreto, born around 1567, who became the first female admiral in the history of Spanish navigation. After the death of her husband, explorer Álvaro de Mendaña, during an expedition in the Pacific in 1595, Isabel took command of the fleet and led it to Manila, covering over twenty thousand kilometers.
Lola Higueras (Madrid, 1945) is a researcher with a unique career path. A graduate in American History from the Complutense University, she combined her passion for history with diving, becoming a pioneer in underwater archaeology in Spain. She cataloged over two thousand historical shipwrecks and directed the technical section of the Naval Museum of Madrid until her retirement in 2005.
Author of more than ninety books and articles, Higueras has been recognized with the Periplo Research Award in 2022 and the Five Oceans Award in 2023. Her work Despertar el olvido, published in 2024, is the culmination of a life dedicated to rescuing Spanish maritime history and giving voice to its protagonists.
