Irene Polo

Irene Polo Roig (27 November 1909 – 3 April 1942) was a Catalan journalist, publicist, theater representative, and translator. She was one of the first women journalists in the Catalan press. Polo, who favored labor rights, participated in the creation of "l'Agrupació Professional de Periodistes" (Association of Professional Journalists). Because of the Spanish Civil War, she lived the last three years of her life in exile in Buenos Aires, where she committed suicide at the age of 32.

Early years and education Irene Polo Roig was born in Barcelona, 27 November 1909. Her father, Antonio Polo, a policeman, died young. Her mother was Francisca Roig. Like many other women of the time, Polo did not have easy access to education or university studies, and had to learn on her own.

Career Before she made a career in journalism, she worked as head of publicity for the film production company Gaumont.

In 1936, Polo went to the United States, as a representative of Margarita Xirgu's theatrical company. When the company was dissolved in 1939, Polo could not return to Barcelona because of the Spanish Civil War. Instead, she lived in exile in Buenos Aires with her mother and sisters, who were able to flee the war. There, she worked as a French and English language translator for the publishers, Losada and Sopena, and she served as advertising director for Dana perfumeries, a job she did not like because of the long hours. Polo fell into depression because her love for Xirgu was not reciprocated, and committed suicide at the age of 32, in Buenos Aires, 3 April 1942.