Clementina Suárez
Clementina Suárez was a prominent Honduran poet and writer, born on May 12, 1902, in Juticalpa, Olancho, Honduras. As the eldest of four daughters in a family that valued education, she began her schooling locally before moving on to a different institution. Significant personal experiences, such as the death of a close friend from cholera, inspired her early writing. Throughout her life, Suárez faced numerous challenges, including the loss of her father and a tumultuous romantic life, which shaped her literary voice. She published her first poetry collection, *Corazón sangrante*, in 1930, showcasing themes of solitude and existential inquiry. Suárez also contributed to the cultural scene by founding a publication called *Mujer* and hosting artistic events after relocating to San Salvador with her second husband. Her poetry, characterized by straightforward language and a focus on women's experiences, marked her as a pioneering figure in Central American literature. Tragically, her life ended in 1991 due to violence, but her legacy continues to influence and inspire.
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Subject Terms
Clementina Suárez
Poet
- Born: May 12, 1902
- Birthplace: Juticalpa, Olancho, Honduras
- Died: December 9, 1991
- Place of death: Barrio de La Hoya, Honduras
Biography
Clementina Zelaya Suárez was born in Juticalpa, Olancho, Honduras, on May 12, 1902 (although some sources say 1906). She was the oldest of four daughters born to Luis Suárez, a lawyer, and Amelia Zelaya Suárez. She attended the local public schools until the fifth grade when she and her sister Rosa were sent to the school La Intrucción. The school closed in 1915, but the two sisters remained with relatives. Three years later, a cholera epidemic swept through the department of Olancho, and although the family was relatively untouched by the disease, one of Suárez’s closest friends died of the disease. The death of her friend was the subject of her first poem, although the poem has since been lost.
In 1923, Luis Suárez died, and twenty-one-year-old Clementina left home without her mother’s permission. For several years, she worked at a variety of jobs and lived with relatives. At the same time, she was writing and attempting to have her work published in magazines and newspapers. She eventually moved to the town of Tegucipalga, where she continued to write.
In 1926, Suárez became romantically involved with Antonio Rosa, a writer and socialite. Although the couple never married, they had two daughters. Shortly after the birth of their second daughter, the couple split up. When she was twenty-seven, she married Guillermo Bustillo Reina, a poet and journalist, but the marriage was short-lived.
Suárez published her first book of poems, Corazón sangrante, in 1930. The poetry is rather traditional in style and theme, portraying the poet as a solitary soul searching for knowledge of self and God. During that same year, she traveled to Mexico for the first time. Her second book of poetry was published the following year, and she gave her first public recital of her work at the National Theater.
In 1933 or 1934, Suárez started her own publication, Mujer, but after only six issues, the publication folded. She continued to write and publish poetry while working menial jobs to support herself. At age forty-seven, she married her second husband, José Mejíá, a Salvadoran painter. She moved to San Salvador with her husband because he had been appointed head of the Fine Arts School. Suárez opened an art gallery, and she promoted the arts and artists by hosting cultural events. In 1955, the Honduran government appointed her cultural affairs officer for the Honduran Embassy in San Salvador. In 1991, Suárez’s long life came to an abrupt end when she was murdered during an apparent home invasion.
Suárez continued to write and publish poetry throughout her long life. Her poetry is written in simple, direct language, and it challenges society’s conception of women and their sexuality. In this sense, Suárez’s work represents a pioneering voice in the poetry of Central America. She was honored for her work by the Honduran government, and in 1970, she received the Ramón Sosa National Prize for Literature.