Ana Maria Bidegaray
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Ana Maria Bidegaray | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 April 1890 Hasparren, France |
| Died | 17 July 1974 (aged 84) Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, spy, resistance fighter, feminist, activist |
Ana María Bidegaray Salaverria (10 April 1890 – 17 July 1974) was a Basque feminist activist, resistance fighter, and humanitarian who played a pivotal role during both World War I and World War II. Known for her courage, ingenuity, and dedication to justice, she left a lasting legacy as a spy and organizer of humanitarian aid networks.[1]
Ana María Bidegaray was born in Hazparne (Hasparren), Labourd (Lapurdi), in the Basque Country, although she was raised in Uruguay. Her parents returned to their homeland for her birth to ensure she was born in the "Basque cradle." She later married Raymond Janssen, the Consul General of Belgium in Uruguay, which provided her with diplomatic connections that she would leverage in her resistance activities.[2]
Resistance activities
During World War I, Bidegaray collaborated with British and French intelligence services. She used her husband's diplomatic ties to gather Intelligence on German prison camps and helped establish the "Bidegaray Network". This network facilitated the escape of Belgian prisoners of war into Allied territories and provided critical humanitarian aid to civilians affected by the war.[3]
Her efforts continued during World War II, where she extended her resistance work by collaborating with the Basque Government in exile. She helped identify and capture Spanish, Italian, and German agents seeking refuge in Uruguay.[4]
