Gwendolyn Lizarraga

Gwendolyn Margaret Lizarraga, MBE (11 July 1901 – 9 June 1975) commonly known as Madam Liz, was a Belizean businesswoman, women's rights activist and politician. She was the first woman elected to the British Honduras Legislative Assembly (now the Belize House of Representatives) and the first woman to serve as a government minister in British Honduras, now Belize.

Biography Gwendolyn Margaret Smith was born on 11 July 1901 to Sidney Smith and Guadalupe Baeza in Maskall Village, British Honduras. She attended Mr. Datsun Primary School, St. Mary's Primary School and St. Catherine's Academy. In 1926, she married the photographer Victor Manuel Lizarraga and they subsequently had five children.

Business career Lizarraga was a businesswoman, who operated a successful chicle and mahogany farm. and authoritative, and not intimidated in her dealings with big companies such as Wrigley's, Castillo and Thurton.

Activism Beginning in the 1950s, Lizarraga worked in several areas to promote women's rights. In 1953, she was hired as a female parole officer for the Social Development Department. In 1954, she began organizing women politically throughout the country beginning in her home area of Maskall Village. From there she traveled north to Orange Walk Town, and then to Sand Hill, Benque Viejo and finally to the far southern, Punta Gorda. In 1959, she formed the United Women's Group (UWG) with 900 women from throughout the country, with the goals of empowering women culturally, economically, and politically. To that end, she co-founded the United Women's Credit Union, encouraging women save, "even if they could only afford $0.25 per week".

Political career 1961 marked the first year that women were allowed to run in the country's national elections. She was succeeded in the Pickstock seat by her son, Adolfo.

In addition to her public life, Lizarraga was a chess player and helped organize the first chess club in the country. She also collected folklore and was a choreographer, instrumental in the revival of the Mestizada dances. Several streets throughout the country are named for her, like Madam Liz Avenue and Gwen Lizarraga Street. In 1992, as part of a commemorative series, a postage stamp was issued with her photograph. The "Madam Liz" Award is granted annually by the Belize Women's Political Caucus to the woman whose work has been exemplary in improving the situation of Belizean women and children.