Lucila Gamero de Medina

Lucila Gamero de Medina (12 June 1873 – 23 January 1964) was a Honduran romantic novelist, feminist, and physician. She is recognized as the first woman in Honduras and Central America to publish novels. Known as "the grand dame of Honduran letters," she also worked as a pharmacist and health inspector. Despite being barred from university studies, she received a diploma in Medicine and Surgery from the Faculty of Medicine's dean. She headed the Hospital de Sangre in Danlí and served as health inspector for El Paraíso Department.

Gamero began writing at a young age, publishing in *La Juventud Hondureña* by 1891. Her novel *Amalia Montiel* (1892) was the first published by a Honduran woman, while *Adriana y Margarita* (1893) was the first novel published in Honduras. Her works, such as *Blanca Olmedo* (1908), criticized societal norms and are considered foundational in Honduran literature. Her novels are part of the curriculum in Honduran schools and universities.

A prominent feminist, Gamero attended conferences and co-founded the Comité Femenino Hondureño in 1947 to advocate for women's political rights. She also contributed to the feminist journal *Mujer Americana*. Married to Gilberto Medina, she had two children. Gamero died on 23 January 1964 in Danlí. Her notable works include *Páginas del Corazón* (1897), *Betina* (1941), and *Amor Exótico* (1954).