Stamp of equality

In March the Spanish postal operator Correos celebrated International Women’s Day by presenting a stamp collection as part of the #8MtodoElAño campaign. The new collection pays tribute to 14 influential women who have led the advances in equality and women’s rights in Spain.

The women were chosen according to their role and their contribution to their respective knowledge areas (arts, science, politics, etc.)

Designed in vertical format, the pastel colour was chosen as a female symbol of this fight for women’s rights. The stamps feature the date ‘8M’ that appears surrounded by some of the most representative objects of the lives and professions of the protagonists of this collection who made history in very difficult conditions.

All the stamps were designed by Isa Muguruza, a young Spanish illustrator capable of creating a unique universe that empowers, through art, the figure of women; an ode to energy and the female body represented through a style that mixes realism, psychedelia and the metaphysical and that has given absolute prominence to the faces of these women. For the artist, it is a campaign that pays tribute to fourteen characters who have paved the way in feminism and for whom she feels true admiration. All of them are strong, independent, fighters and dreamers. This collection of illustrated stamps is a way to thank them for their journey.

Correos has organised a touring exhibition which will travel to the main Spanish post offices. The cities were chosen according to the depicted women’s birthplaces, so that locals can pay tribute and acknowledge their work.

Each woman has its own space in the exhibit, showing the original pictures used for the stamps and depicting texts about their lives and work.

Nuria Lera, director of Philately and Institutional Relations at Correos, said: “The stamps become the perfect vehicle to highlight the work that the company has done for gender equality and highlight that Women’s Day is not limited only to March 8 but extends to all days of the year”.

 Elena Fernández, deputy director of International Relations and ESG, recalled that “the presence of women at Correos in all categories and the promotion of gender equality has been and continues to be one of the company’s hallmarks. We were pioneers in incorporating women into our workforce and currently, women represent more than 53% of Correos professionals and occupy 55% of intermediate management positions in offices, distribution units and logistics centres, thanks to the company’s policies to promote equality.”

The history of Correos is marked by milestones of integration and equality. Telégrafos was one of the first services, at the end of the 19th century, to incorporate women into its staff. One of the tribute stamps is devoted to Clara Campoamor, a Correos’ telegraphist, politician and defender of women rights who fought for women’s suffrage in Spain.

This collection is part of Correos #8MtodoElAño campaign , launched in 2021, which aims to highlight the continued work that the company has done throughout its history for gender equality and its commitment to continue working, from January 1 to December 31, to move towards full equality.

For more information, please visit www.sellos8m.com