Traditional historiography has minimized or even erased the role of women in industrialization, reinforcing the mistaken notion that their contributions were marginal or exceptional. However, recent research is shedding light on their crucial participation in this process. To reflect on and give visibility to this reality, the 7th 8M25 Reflective Conference will take place on March 6 and 7, 2025, under the theme:
“The (In)VISIBLE LEGACY of WOMEN in INDUSTRIALIZATION: Perspectives from Argentina and the Basque Country.”

This event, organized by the UNESCO Chair on Landscapes and Heritage at UPV/EHU, the UNESCO Chair on Archaeological Heritage at the National University of Central Buenos Aires Province (UNICEN), the feminist network ARQSAREAN, and the Patrimonio SXX platform, will feature specialists presenting their research on women’s contributions in various industrial sectors.

Conference Program

📅 Thursday, March 6 – Conferences

The first session will take place at the Assembly Hall of the Micaela Portilla Research Center (Álava Campus, UPV/EHU), in a hybrid format (both in-person and virtual), with the following schedule:

🔹 15:00 CET / 11:00 ART – Welcome from Vitoria-Gasteiz and Olavarría (Argentina).
🔹 15:30 CET / 11:30 ART – “Cargueras, a profession to reclaim” – Amaia Apraiz and María Romano (in-person).
🔹 15:55 CET / 11:55 ART – “Industrialization at stake: The playing card workers of Vitoria-Gasteiz in historical perspective (19th-20th centuries)” – Aritza Sáenz del Castillo (in-person).
🔹 16:15 CET / 12:15 ART – “The emergence of the invisible: The role of women in the mining town of Sierras Bayas” – Ana Pia Recavarren (virtual).
🔹 16:35 CET / 12:35 ART – Questions and comments.
🔹 16:55 CET / 12:55 ART – “Women’s role as passengers and workers in the railway industry” – Claudia Martínez (in-person).
🔹 17:15 CET / 13:15 ART – “Our women architects and industrial heritage” – Carolina Quiroga (virtual).
🔹 17:30 CET / 13:30 ART – Questions and comments.
🔹 17:45 CET / 13:45 ART – Closing remarks by Veronica Benedet (in-person).

This session will examine various historical experiences in which women played a pivotal role in the industrial sector, from factory work and railways to architecture and industrial heritage.

📅 Friday, March 7 – Guided Tour

On the second day, the event will move to a guided tour of La Encartada Factory-Museum in Balmaseda, a key site in the industrial history of the Basque Country.

🔹 10:00 CET – Meeting point: Main entrance of La Encartada Factory-Museum.
🔹 Exclusively in-person.

This visit will provide an opportunity to explore the history of the factory and the essential role women played in the textile industry and the region’s industrial development.

Registration and Participation

To attend the conference, pre-registration is required via the following link:
📌 Registration Form

The conference will be broadcast live on YouTube through the Faculty of Social Sciences – UNICEN channel. Additionally, certificates of attendance will be issued to participants.

Building a More Inclusive Narrative

The 7th 8M25 Reflective Conference aims to contribute to the construction of a more equitable narrative of industrialization, integrating the stories, experiences, and contributions of women in this process. Through collective reflection between researchers and attendees, these perspectives will be made visible, promoting a more inclusive approach to industrial heritage.

🔎 For more information and updates, follow us on social media:
📲 Instagram: @ARQsarean
📩 Contact: arqsarean@gmail.com

We look forward to your participation in this event as we continue working towards a fairer and more representative history!