Lutgarda Guimarães de Caires

Lutegarda Guimarães de Caires, also Lutgarda and Luthegarda, (1858–1935) was a Portuguese women's rights activist and poet. She is remembered for starting the Portuguese tradition of bringing gifts of clothes, toys and sweets to children in hospital at Christmas. She fought successfully to have conditions for female prisoners significantly improved. In addition to her award-winning poetry, Lutgarda de Caires published articles in the press calling for equal opportunities for women and improvements to their property rights.

Biography Born in Vila Real de Santo António in 1858, Lutgarda Guimarães was the daughter of María Teresa de Barros y José Rodrigues Guimarães. After her mother died when she was still a small child, she and her brother were lovingly cared for by her father who introduced them to the harp, violin and sitar.

Lutgarda Guimarães de Caires died in Lisbon in 1935.