Born: 2 August 1894, Brazil
Died: 16 September 1976
Country most active: Brazil
Also known as: NA
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Bertha Maria Júlia Lutz was a notable Brazilian zoologist, politician, and diplomat and played a key role in the Pan-American feminist and human rights movements. Her efforts were crucial in achieving women’s suffrage in Brazil. She also represented her country at the United Nations Conference on International Organization and signed the United Nations Charter.
Aside from her political work, Lutz worked as a naturalist at Brazil’s National Museum. She specialized in poison dart frogs; several frog and lizard species now bear her name.
Bertha Maria Júlia Lutz’s legacy highlights her contributions as a scientist, advocate, and trailblazer, impacting both Brazilian history and the global fight for equality and justice.