Time March 16–23, 20201946 ▷
Eva Perón
Woman of the people
Evita, as Argentines call their most famous First Lady, was
in showbiz long before the Broadway musical about her
life. In the 1930s, 15-year-old Eva Duarte moved from her
impoverished family’s home to Buenos Aires to become an
actor. But parts in radio plays gave way to a more pivotal
role: shaping Argentina’s political future.
In 1946, shortly after marrying General Juan Domingo
Perón, Eva began campaigning for her husband in presi-
dential elections. After she became First Lady that year, her
speeches championing “the shirtless”—as she called the
working class— became foundational to Peronism, the con-
troversial populist movement that still divides Argentine
politics today. Eva used her influence to divert money to
massive social programs, funding schools, orphanages and
hospitals. Her support was also crucial to the passage of
women’s suffrage in 1947.
Seven decades after Evita died from cancer in 1952, she
still looms large—sometimes literally. When Peronists won
the presidential election in October, they relit a monumental
portrait of her that rivals had blacked out on Buenos Aires’
biggest avenue, returning her to the forefront of the national
narrative. The truth is, she never left. —Ciara Nugent◁ 1947
Amrit Kaur
Championing an independent India
In 1918, a young princess returned to India from studying
at Oxford and became fascinated by Mohandas Gandhi’s
teachings. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, born into the royal family
of Kapurthala and educated in Edwardian England, decided
her life’s mission was to help India break free from its colo-
nial ties and oppressive societal norms. Before long, she was
tackling social issues, pushing for women’s education and
the right to vote and to divorce, and speaking out against
child marriage. She became a secretary to Gandhi in 1930.
When India finally won independence from British rule
in 1947, Kaur became the first woman to join the Cabinet,
serving as Health Minister for 10 years. In that position,
she founded the Indian Council for Child Welfare; helped
establish the country’s top hospital and medical college;
and campaigned to prevent malaria, likely saving hundreds
of thousands of lives. Awarded an honorary degree from
Princeton in 1956, Kaur was praised for offering “substan-
tial and highly effective programs of action” to mothers and
children, to the sick and starving.
In leaving her life of luxury, Kaur not only helped build
lasting democratic institutions, she also inspired genera-
tions to fight for the marginalized. ÑNaina Bajekal(^44) PERÓN: GL ARCHIVE/ALAMY; KAUR: ANL/SHUTTERSTOCK