A book to recover a silenced history
On 19 September 2026, the cultural space La Repartidora hosts the presentation of «Inmaculada. La muerte que precipitó el final del Patronato», a book reconstructing the story of Inmaculada Valderrama Maroto, a 14-year-old girl who died in 1983 under the guardianship of the Patronato de Protección a la Mujer, a Francoist institution that operated well into democracy. The investigation, by Marta García Carbonell, Esther López Barceló and María Palau Galdón—journalists and a historian—details how this case hastened the end of an organisation that, under the guise of "protecting" women, confined them in centres like the San Fernando de Henares reformatory for reasons such as "sexual deviation" or "moral danger".
The event, part of the Fira Feminista de València, starts at 19:00 and is free to attend. No prior registration is required, though capacity is limited.
About the authors
- Marta García Carbonell and María Palau Galdón are journalists specialising in historical memory and human rights.
- Esther López Barceló is a historian focused on Francoist repression and gender policies during the Transition.
The three authors have delved into judicial archives, newspaper libraries and testimonies to give voice to a story that, for decades, was buried under the official narrative of an "accident". Their book, published by Libros del K.O, not only revisits Inmaculada’s case but also contextualises the Patronato’s operations: a system that, since 1941, interned thousands of minors—some as young as 12—for reasons like "prostitution", "vagrancy" or "immoral conduct", according to the era’s criteria.
The Fira Feminista de València
This event is part of the Fira Feminista de València’s 2026 programme, marking its fifth edition with activities across the city, including Plaça Manuel Granero. The fair combines talks, workshops and performances to highlight historical and contemporary struggles for equality, with special attention to silenced voices.
