From neglected to preffered: Considerations on the intellectual trajectory of Alice Piffer Canabrava (1935-1951)

Abstract

this article intends to demonstrate, in summary, that Alice Piffer Canabrava's defeat in the contest for the American Civilization History chair, taken place in 1946, was due to two factors: a peculiar academic culture of the University of São Paulo's School of Philosophy, Sciences and Languages in its early decades and an ingrained conception regarding women's place in society. On the other hand, her entering and success at the School of Economic and Administrative Sciences at USP can be explained by a distinct academic culture of that place. To support this outlook, the trajectory of Alice Canabrava is compared to that of other women who also shared an institutional setting.