Angelina Vidal

Vidal was born in São José in 1847. Her parents were Joaquim Casimiro Júnior[1] and Rita Adelaide de Jesus. Her father was married to Maria do Carmo Figueiredo and as a result she had a half-sister named Carlota Joaquina da Silva Faria who died in 1913. At the age of nine she was an orphan.[2]

She married in 1872.[1] Her work Death of Satan was published in 1879. After twelve years of her marriage she separated from her husband. Divorce was impossible and her husband gained the custody of their children. In 1886 she published To the Portuguese workers which encouraged workers to campaign for a 12 hour day as at that time the standard working day was 15 hours.[2]

Her husband died in 1894.[1]

In 1901 she faced financial hardship. She had to turn to the charity of tobacco workers. This was not short-term and she had to ask again 1904.[3]

The plaque on Vidal's house

Vidal died in Anjos.[1] A plaque was placed on her house although it is believed that the date on the plaque is wrong.[4] She was one of the first women in Portugal who were concerned with women's subordinate status and in particular about improving the educational opportunities for Women in Portugal together with Francisca Wood, Alice Pestana, Carolina Michaëlis de Vasconcelos, Alice Moderno, Maria Amália Vaz de Carvalho, Antónia Pusich and Guiomar Torrezão.[5] A street is named for her in Lisbon.[6]

She married, Luís Augusto de Campos Vidal, a Navy doctor in 1872. They had five children Julieta Casimiro Vidal (1873-1944), Violet Casimiro Vidal (1874-1916),Antonino Casimiro Vidal (1876-1912), Ema Casimiro Vidal (1879-1884) and Hugo Casimiro Vidal (1886-1940). Her estranged husband died in 1894.[1]