Born: 19 September 1917, Mexico
Died: 5 November 2000
Country most active: Mexico
Also known as: Amalia Hernández Navarro
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Amalia Hernández Navarro was a prominent Mexican ballet choreographer renowned for founding the Ballet Folklórico de México.
In 1952, Amalia Hernández established the Mexican Folkloric Ballet, initially comprising just eight dancers, which later expanded to a troupe of 60 performers. In 1959, the ensemble had the distinct honor of representing Mexico at the Pan American Games in Chicago, Illinois. Over the course of her career, Hernández choreographed more than 60 pieces.
From 1960 onward, Amalia Hernández’s Ballet Folklórico de México has maintained a continuous performance schedule, captivating audiences every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City.
In addition to her artistic contributions, she founded the Folkloric Ballet School in Mexico City, and the building that houses it was designed by her brother, the esteemed architect Agustín Hernández Navarro, in 1968.