Morayma Ofir Carvajal (Guaranda, Bolívar, January 28, 1915 – Chimborazo, February 25, 1951) was an Ecuadorian poet and educator. She worked as a teacher and rector at various schools in her hometown of Guaranda and later in Riobamba. In 1949, she was one of the founders of the Riobamba branch of the House of Ecuadorian Culture. Morayma Ofir was married to José Reyes for several years, until they were killed on February 25, 1951 by a bomb in their home in the city of Riobamba.
Career
After finishing her studies as a teacher at the Manuela Cañizares School in Quito, she returned to her hometown to work as an educator at the Simón Bolívar School, where she became rector of the Echeandía Professional School. Some time later she returned to Quito to be part of the faculty of the Higher Institute of Pedagogy and Letters, Manuela Cañizares Normal School, and Fernández Madrid Normal School. In 1949 she was rector of the College of Young Ladies of Riobamba. In the same year she joined with a group of intellectuals from the city to found the House of Culture of Riobamba. She gave public lectures in several cities in Ecuador, where her prestige began to grow; Among her many distinctions, she was appointed as Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Ecuador in the Republic of Uruguay, but she did not accept. Due to her relevant cultural work, she was a member of the American Pacifist Union, Grupo Águilas de la Raza de Venezuela and the Bolivarian Society. She was personally invited by the Eva Duarte de Perón Foundation to the International Congress of Women for Peace and Freedom in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Recognitions
- Founder of the House of Ecuadorian Culture in Riobamba.
- Invited by the Eva Perón Foundation to the International Congress of Women For Peace and Freedom.
- Postal seal: “Aporte a la cultura y desarrollo del Ecuador” [Contribution to the culture and development of Ecuador].
- A street in Quito is named after her.
Assassination
Morayma Ofir was married to José Reyes for several years, until they were killed on February 25, 1951 by a bomb in their home in the city of Riobamba. Subsequent investigations determined that the perpetrators of the horrendous crime were Gilberto Mancheno and Ernesto Puyol, alleged sons-in-law of her husband, who had the complicity of José Pinduisaca and Gloria Quinchín, employees who worked at their home.
Works
- Poema Rebeldía
- Galería del Espíritu o Mujeres de mi Patria
- Libro de poemas Asfodelos
- Revista Alas
- Las siete palabras de Jesús.