MERCEDES COROMINAS: THE SELF-REALISATION OF AN AERONAUT AT THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY

The aim of this text is to present Catalan woman aeronaut Mercedes Corominas, one of the world's first aviators who made her name by performing hot-air balloon ascents and risky gymnastic exercises at the beginning of the 20th century. Thus, from a historical perspective, the experiences of an << intrepid >> and << transgressive >> woman have been traced, trying to shed light on the biographical vicissitudes of a life full of enthusiasm for adventure and survival. A review and analysis of the news in the historical newspaper sources between Spain, Portugal and Brazil suggest a biographical hermeneutic of the protagonist in terms of gender studies. Firstly, through a positivist narrative provided by the news-paper reports of the time, an event of macho violence that disturbs the protagonist's life is highlighted. Subsequently, Mercedes Corominas's willpower and courage are considered to make her dream come true: becoming a hot-air balloon pilot. Through the monitoring of newspapers and magazines, news of the continuity of the protag-onist are discovered and a stage of emancipation is appreciated, which makes her a popular gymnast and hot-air balloon pilot. These are moments of full personal and professional self-realisation, but new circumstances take her to Latin America to conquer new projects. In short, this particular study reveals the patriarchal stereotypes of the early 20th century, and, likewise, the resilience of many women manifesting their desires with freedom and determination. Without doubt, Mercedes Corominas, the first Spanish woman to pilot a hot-air balloon, give us one of the many examples of self-realised women who announced the social change they were ready to bring about to the new century.