Matronazgo colectivo: Mujeres como constructoras del patrimonio urbano de Olavarría, Argentina

Abstract

Introducción: El matronazgo colectivo refiere a las acciones emprendidas por grupos de mujeres que, a partir de la organización e inversión de recursos económicos, beneficiaron a comunidades u organizaciones con fines sociales y generaron un impacto en el desarrollo de las ciudades. Objetivo principal: Analizar el rol activo de las mujeres como mecenas y promotoras de obras y organizaciones al servicio de las comunidades y del patrimonio urbano de Olavarría, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Para ello se toman dos casos locales: la Sociedad de Beneficencia de Olavarría, dedicada a la protección de las niñas y la Asociación Damas Vicentinas de Olavarría que orientó su labor principalmente a la protección de niños y personas adultas mayores. Método y técnica: La investigación se enmarca en una metodología cualitativa, basada en el análisis de fuentes documentales, documentos históricos y normativos, complementada con entrevistas y relevamientos in situ. Resultados: Se reconstruye el devenir histórico de estas organizaciones, destacando la vigencia de los valores solidarios originales y la constitución de los edificios analizados como ejemplos de arquitectura asistencialista y elementos del patrimonio urbano de la ciudad.

Introduction: Collective patronage refers to the actions undertaken by groups of women who, through the organization and investment of economic resources, benefited communities or organizations with social purposes and generated an impact on the development of cities. Main objective: To analyze the active role of women as patrons and promoters of projects and organizations serving communities and urban heritage of Olavarría, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Two local cases are considered: the Olavarría Charity Society, dedicated to the protection of girls, and the Association of Vincentian Ladies of Olavarría, which focused its work primarily on the protection of children and the elderly. Method and technique: The research is framed within a qualitative methodology, based on the analysis of documentary sources, historical and regulatory documents, complemented by interviews and on-site surveys. Results: The historical development of these organizations is reconstructed, highlighting the continued relevance of their original values of solidarity and the constitution of the buildings analyzed as examples of welfare architecture and elements of the city's urban heritage. Conclusion: This study highlights the role of the women's collectives analyzed, which have played—and continue to play—a key role not only in addressing social needs, but also in promoting the construction and ownership of various emblematic buildings in the city. Without challenging the social roles of each stage, they gained autonomy from marital guardianship and religious dependence. Their versatility in administering assets and managing public and community funds and support ensured the continuity of their charitable works and the buildings that today form part of Olavarría's identity.