Rizal and Women

In 19th-century Philippines, women were primarily confined to the church and home, embodying the 'Maria Clara' archetype of meekness, obedience, and silence. Their roles were defined by 'marianismo,' modeling after the Virgin Mary as martyrs and humble figures. Education in 'beaterios' focused on prayer, sewing, and cooking, preparing them for marriage or convent life. However, Rizal's travels to Europe exposed him to independent and intellectual women in Germany and England, who actively worked and engaged in political and social issues. This stark contrast led him to believe that Filipino women's weaknesses were not inherent but products of limited education and Spanish colonial conditioning, fostering excessive religiosity and a lack of critical thinking.

Rizal's family, especially the women, were foundational to his character. His mother, Dona Teodora Alonso, was his first teacher and a major influence. A mathematician, businesswoman, and literary critic, she nurtured his talents and corrected his early poems. Her resilience during wrongful imprisonment in 1871 inspired Rizal's fight against social injustices. His nine sisters—Saturnina, Narcisa, Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Josefa, Trinidad, and Soledad—provided a crucial support system. Narcisa and Saturnina sent him money, even for publishing 'Noli Me Tángere,' and Narcisa later found his burial site. Lucia remained loyal despite her husband being denied a Christian burial due to his ties with Rizal. Josefa and Trinidad were active Katipuneras, protecting revolutionary documents and defending their family. Trinidad safeguarded his final poem, 'Mi último adiós,' highlighting how the women in the Rizal household were not just demure but strong pillars and partners in the struggle for the nation.

Rizal's vision for education, particularly for women, was significantly influenced by the 'Leipzig Verein' in Berlin, a trade school founded in 1866 to foster economic independence for women. This institution was revolutionary, teaching vocational skills like photography, telegraphy, and type setting, aiming to make women self-reliant. Rizal personally witnessed the efficiency of German women working at the 'Berliner Drückerei-Geschelf,' the typography school of Leipzig Verein where 'Noli Me Tángere' was printed, a stark contrast to his experiences in the Philippines. When exiled in Dapitan, Rizal established his own school, incorporating this holistic and practical education by teaching agriculture, arts, and sports alongside academics. The architectural designs of his dream school in Hong Kong and structures in Dapitan, featuring octagonal and hexagonal shapes, reflected modern European laboratories and trade schools, emphasizing efficiency and functionalism learned from institutions like the Leipzig Verein. For Rizal, education was about empowering individuals to serve society through science and technology, advocating for equal access to knowledge for both men and women.

Rizal deeply admired Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' This book served as a blueprint and primary inspiration for 'Noli Me Tángere.' During his studies in Madrid, Rizal was captivated by how Stowe used literature to expose the brutalities of chattel slavery in America, effectively making it a powerful weapon against social injustice. He proposed to his propaganda movement comrades to create a similar work exposing the 'social cancer' of Filipino society. Just as 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' contributed to the American Civil War and raised human rights awareness, Rizal aimed to use his novel to awaken the conscience of Filipinos about Spanish subjugation, portraying it as a form of slavery. He adopted Stowe's style of combining emotion (pathos) with sharp observations of reality to depict the oppression faced by Filipinos. For Rizal, Stowe's courage proved that a woman's pen could dismantle oppressive systems and alter the course of history.

Rizal's romantic relationships, though numerous, enriched his understanding of women's capabilities and aligned with his feminist ideals. Leonor Rivera, his 'great love' and the inspiration for Maria Clara, exemplified how Filipino women often fell victim to filial obedience and tradition, as her mother intercepted their letters and forced her to marry Henry Kipping. This tragedy underscored for Rizal the limited agency of women in the Philippines. In Europe, Rizal encountered women who embodied his progressive ideals. Gertrud Beckett in London, with her artistic appreciation and initiative, assisted him with his sculptures. Nelly Boustead in France was an intellectual equal, skilled in fencing and principled in her beliefs, nearly marrying Rizal if not for his refusal to convert to Protestantism. Suzanne Jacoby in Belgium showcased practicality and diligence. These relationships, while romantic, were primarily intellectual partnerships for Rizal. He always prioritized his commitment to the Philippines over personal happiness, rejecting permanent European residency with any of these women. Rizal's ideal woman was not just a life partner but an inspiration for the national struggle, always treated with profound respect.

Rizal's female characters in 'Noli Me Tángere' and 'El filibusterismo' served as powerful reflections of social issues and abuses faced by Filipina women under colonial rule. Sisa, the victim of institutional oppression, represents mothers suffering from social injustice. Her tragedy, beyond mental health issues, symbolizes the destruction of family dignity by the Civil Guard and the church, reflecting prevalent arbitrary detention and physical abuse during the Spanish era. Her madness represents a society losing hope due to human rights abuses. Juli, in 'El filibusterismo,' symbolizes the 'Sacrifice of Honor,' choosing death over sexual exploitation by Padre Camorra. Her act highlights the 'clerical abuse' and sexual exploitation by friars, a known secret of the 19th century where power was used for personal gain. Juli's death is a political protest against moral corruption. Doña Victorina, representing the 'Tragedy of Colonial Mentality,' embodies self-hatred and adoption of foreign culture while despising her own. While comical, she is a victim of psychological colonization, where Filipinos were belittled, prompting some to disown their heritage to avoid discrimination. These characters collectively show that Rizal's fight for freedom was not just against arms, but also against systems that erode the dignity and rights of women.

On December 12, 1888, a petition from about 20 women in Malolos, Bulacan, to open a night school for Spanish caught Rizal's attention through Marcelo H. del Pilar. Despite resistance from their parish priest, they persisted and secured the permit. This bravery prompted Rizal to write 'To the Young Women of Malolos,' a masterpiece considered the 'First Manifesto of Filipino Feminism.' Rizal challenged traditional piety, stating that endless prayers and rosaries were meaningless without critical thought. True piety, he argued, was the use of God-given reason, criticizing blind obedience to friars whose commands were often self-serving. He emphasized that humans were created with their own minds, and abandoning reason for false doctrines was a sin against self-dignity.

Rizal placed immense responsibility on mothers in shaping the nation's future, believing they were children's first teachers. He warned that if mothers were submissive, cowardly, and ignorant, their children would grow up to be slaves, asserting that colonialism begins within the home if mothers lack education and conviction. Conversely, an educated and courageous mother would raise children who would defend the nation, citing Spartan women who preferred their sons to die in battle rather than return as cowards. This letter redefined the ideal woman—no longer just meek and religious, but enlightened, with her own voice, and a partner to men in national progress. Rizal conveyed that intelligence is not gender-specific and that Philippine development is impossible if half the population remains ignorant or indifferent to social issues.

Rizal's life in Dapitan culminated with Josephine Bracken, his 'Dulce Estranghera.' Despite their significant age difference, their union was controversial. Josephine faced severe social exclusion and discrimination from Rizal's family, who suspected her of being a spy for the friars, intensified by her being an adopted daughter and their inability to marry canonically due to Rizal's refusal to retract his writings. She was treated as a common-law wife or 'vagabond' and denied any inheritance after Rizal's execution, with his family seizing all his belongings. Despite these immense personal hardships, Josephine's contributions to the Philippines extended beyond her relationship with Rizal. After his death, she joined the revolution in Cavite under General Emilio Aguinaldo, serving as a nurse for wounded Katipuneros and participating in military operations. Later, in Cebu, she became an English tutor, notably teaching a young Sergio Osmeña, who would become the fourth Philippine president. Josephine's story highlights prejudice and bias; despite being an outsider and rejected by Rizal's family, she remained loyal to his mission and served the nation in her own significant way, leaving an indelible mark on Philippine history and education.

The lessons from Rizal's views on women are valuable for future nurses, emphasizing professional identity and personal worth. Rizal believed women should not just be auxiliary but partners. For nurses, this means not blindly following orders but using reason and professional judgment, particularly concerning patient care. Their degree and license are tools against discrimination and abuse within healthcare. For male students, Rizal's lesson is about respect and partnership, admiring women's intelligence and seeing them as equals in building family and nation. He challenged the notion of nursing as a 'feminine profession,' stating that caregiving enhances humanity, not diminishes masculinity. Regarding Rizal's romantic flings, the key lesson is prioritizing one's mission in life. Toxic relationships, like Doña Victorina's colonial mentality, should be left behind. Relationships requiring excessive sacrifice where one is abused or unrecognized, as Josephine Bracken experienced, are also detrimental. It's crucial to acknowledge one's worth and seek partners who offer respect and shared values. Rizal was 'married to his cause,' and modern individuals should be 'married to their dreams,' aspiring to excel in their chosen professions. Ultimately, Rizal believed a nation's quality is measured by its women, which can be adapted to say healthcare quality is measured by its nurses. The call to action is to be excellent, modern women and men of Malolos—stand tall, speak up, and never settle for less, professionally and personally.