A pioneer in a world dominated by men
In an era marked by gender inequality, Irene Polo emerged as a prominent figure in journalism during the Second Republic. According to Pilar Tur Fernández de Sevilla, co-editor of the work ‘The fascination of journalism’, Polo was not only a competent journalist, but she managed to make her way in a professional environment often hostile towards women.
A beginning marked by necessity
Born in November 1909 into a modest family, Irene’s life changed drastically with the premature death of her father. As the eldest sister in a family of three, she had to look for work early on to contribute to the family economy. Her first steps in journalism came through writing articles about cinema for various publications.
Rise to the top publications
In 1930, Irene Polo’s name began to appear in more relevant media, especially in ‘Las Noticias’, a Spanish-language newspaper that was one of the most influential of the time. Here she began to write about subjects that reflected everyday life in Barcelona and, shortly afterwards, she delved into social issues that made her stand out.
Committed journalism
His career took a significant turn when he began collaborating with the newspaper ‘L’Opinió’. During this period, Polo addressed labor issues and openly criticized the influence of the FAI within the CNT, an act of courage that brought him into conflict with powerful sectors of unionism. Pilar Tur highlights that, during this time, Polo made impactful reports that captured the essence of the social and labor events of the time, including strikes and demonstrations.
A tragic end in exile
At the beginning of 1936, Irene’s career underwent a radical change when she decided to leave journalism to accompany the actress Margarida Xirgu as secretary on a tour of South America. However, the conflict of the Spanish Civil War interrupted his plans, and he settled in Argentina, where he began to experience a deep depression, as can be seen from the letters he sent to the painter Miquell Villa.
The impact of its loss
Irene Polo’s life ended tragically on April 3, 1942, when she decided to end her life at the age of 32. Pilar Tur emphasizes that the circumstances of her death, together with the fact that she was a woman in a field dominated by men, have contributed to her figure being forgotten over time. Her contribution to journalism, far from being recognized, has been overshadowed by her personal experiences and the limitations of her career.
Revisiting his legend
Today, Irene Polo deserves to be remembered not only as a pioneering journalist, but also as a courageous voice who challenged the norms of her time. Her story invites us to reflect on the role of women in journalism and to recognize the contributions of figures who have been unjustly relegated to oblivion.
