She is a nun who defies male domination in the 1650s with her poem 'Stupid Men', who shouts neither her lesbian love nor her criticisms of church officials.
He was born on November 12, 1648, in San Miguel Nepantla, Mexico.
Born out of wedlock in an oppressive society under the colonial rule of Spain, Juana learned to read from her grandfather's books when she was 3 years old. She wrote her first poem when she was 8 years old. This poem is a religious poem read in rituals.
Doña Inés de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana, better known as Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (12 November 1648 – 17 April 1695) was a Mexican writer, philosopher, composer and poet of the Baroque period, and Hieronymite nun.
Juana, who lost her grandfather at the age of 9, is sent to live with her aunt when her mother marries someone. Having studied Greek and Latin here, Juana began to take an interest in many subjects from art to science, from theology to literature. She also learns the Aztec language, which is influential in parts of Mexico and writes in that language.
Juana lives in a time when only men are admitted to the university and gender inequality is extreme. But she still pushes the limits, she considers dressing up as a boy to study at university. However, this idea that she really wants to bring to life is not accepted by her mother and she is shelved.
But Juana's interest in education and her industriousness in this regard attracts the attention of Vicereine Leonor Carreto, the wife of the Spanish Governor-General. And Juana is taken to work with Carreto.
This job opens the doors of the library, which is normally forbidden to women, for Juana. Juana reads many new and old books here; she also has time to write.
At the age of 17, Juana was tested in subjects such as mathematics, philosophy, literature, and history by 40 members of the University of Mexico, and academics say she was a kind of genius, according to sources. But unfortunately, there are two options for women in their lifetime: Marriage or nun.
Wanting to continue her studies, Juana chooses the second option and decides to become a nun.
And in 1669 she moves to the Convent of Santa Geronimo (St. Jerome), where she will spend her entire life. She adds the name 'Ask', which characterizes the nun in Catholics, to the beginning of her name.
The language of Juana, who started to write theater plays as well as her poems, is sometimes full of satire and sometimes praise.
Juana's religious works are composed to be sung in the cathedrals of Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca. Juana establishes a library of approximately 4000 books here, and many writers, artists, and intellectuals support her.
In her poem 'Stupid Men', Juana harshly criticizes the way men see themselves as 'higher' than women:
"Stupid, you men - you're so resourceful
It unfairly stigmatizes the female sex,
If anyone is to blame, it's you."
Writing unusual works for a nun, Juana's poems are "not welcomed" by church leaders.
Juana, who spent her last years only writing, died on 17 April 1695 due to the plague epidemic that started among the nuns.
Juana is cited as one of the first feminists of the new world in the late 20th century as a result of the increase and expansion of feminist research.
The most comprehensive work on Sor Juana is by Mexican poet Octavio Paz. Feminist evaluations, films, and serials follow the works created in memory of Juana.