Abiertas, Josepha (1894–1929)

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Abiertas, Josepha (1894–1929)

Filipino lawyer and feminist who was the first woman to graduate from the Philippine Law School. Born in Capiz, Philippines, in 1894; died of tuberculosis in 1929.

Born in 1894 and orphaned along with her brother at an early age, Josepha Abiertas attended school in Capiz before enrolling at the Philippine Law School. Because she devoted her short life to bettering the position of women and poor farmers, the Josepha Abiertas House of Friendship was dedicated to her after her death at age 33.