Sor Juana Inez Cruz: champion of women's educational rightsIn 1600, Sor Juana Inez Cruz, a nun of the Convent of the Order of Saint Jerome, wrote a criticism of a sermon delivered around forty years before. His article criticized a preacher's message about Christ and His love for humanity. Cruz's criticism was later published by the bishop of Puebla without his consent or knowledge. Furthermore, the bishop wrote his own letter to Sor Juana using the invented name of Filotea de la Cruz. In his letter, the bishop describes a conversation between two nuns, one insisting that the other spend her time and abilities dealing with religious matters alone, abandoning intellectual pursuits (Norton 247). In response to the bishop's actions, Sor Juana wrote: "The poets respond to the illustrious Sor Filotea de la Cruz", a humble, intelligent and tactful response, where she replied: "I attempted to bury my intellect along with my name and to sacrifice it to Him who gave it to me; and that no other reason led me to religious life..." (Ines De Le Cruz, Sor Juana 252). his position against women's right to a secular education. In Cruz's time, and as a rule, women were not allowed to pursue an education outside the religious confines of the convent. As a result, the convent overseers did all the possible to silence Cruz (Paz 263).?? Furthermore, Cruz's “Philosophical Satire,” which describes the unacceptable behavior of men when it comes to a woman's right to be treated equally, reads: to do well when you inspire them a f...... middle of paper ......n of his wisdom and intuition. Although she managed to write plays, prose, songs, and other notable works, and because she took a stand against the establishment of religion in the Catholic Church, she was ultimately silenced and ostracized. She was no longer permitted to continue publishing her works. Furthermore, his writings were no longer to be read in the convent and most were sold off or removed. In conclusion, there are some works by Cruz that have emerged and are in print today. These works are enough to keep his memory alive. Certainly, all women should be grateful for the sacrifice Cruz made, for her courageous and humble contribution, and for the risk of losing her life. After all, she had single-handedly forced open a door that had been locked for years; a gateway to women's right to a complete education (Paz 450-470).