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María Cegarra Salcedo (La Unión, 1903 - Murcia, 1993) was a spanish poet, and the first spanish woman to graduate with a degree in Chemical Sciences.

Maria's father was a merchant and mother a teacher. Her brother Andrés Cegarra Salcedo, was an author. After Andrés'death Maria published her first poem, Cristales mios, and after the death of her sister, very close to her own disappearance, she published her last work, Poemas para un silencio.

Maria was fascinated by chemistry and became the first woman in spain to obtain a diploma in chemistry. She started her own mineralogical analysis laboratory in the city in which she was born. In addition to this work Maria undertook teaching responsibilities as a professor of Chemical Sciences at la Escuela de Peritos Industriales y Maestría de Cartagena, as well as in other centres for vocational training and for the baccalaureate.

She alternated her work with the teaching activity, being a professor of Chemical Sciences in the School of Industrial Experts and Master of Cartagena, as well as in other centres of Vocational Training and Baccalaureate.

Maria never married. Although she was a catholic, this did not prevent her from becoming friens, before the Spanish Civil War, with relevant writers and contemporary characters of different political/religious character including the journalist Raimundo de los Reyes; the critic Antonio Oliver; the poets Carmen Conde, Miguel Hernández and Ramón Sijé. She personally dispelling rumours of a supposed romance with Miguel Hernández. Maria was involved with the Feminine Section of Spanish Falange, a party of fascist nature, although in her later years she showed sympathy for the workers' strike and ideals of solidarity and peace.

Through her work educating young childminders she contributed to reducing the high post-war infant mortality rates in Spain. She also did humanitarian work, distributing clothes, items for newborns and food for the needy, especially in the 1950s.

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_Cegarra_Salcedo