page_title: Carmen Lyra
hierarchical_section_title: Carmen Lyra
caption_attribution_description: Español: La escritora costarricense Carmen Lyra dibujada en el billete de 20 000 colones emitido en 2010 por el Banco Central de Costa Rica
context_page_description: Carmen Lyra was the pseudonym of the first prominent female Costa Rican writer, born Maria Isabel Carvajal Quesada. She was a teacher and founder of the country's first Montessori school. She was a co-founder of the Communist Party of Costa Rica, as well as one of the country's first female worker's unions. She was one of the earliest writers to criticize the dominance of the fruit companies. She won many prizes.
context_section_description: Carmen Lyra (January 15, 1888  – May 14, 1949) was the pseudonym of the first prominent female Costa Rican writer, born Maria Isabel Carvajal Quesada. She was a teacher and founder of the country's first Montessori school. She was a co-founder of the Communist Party of Costa Rica, as well as one of the country's first female worker's unions. She was one of the earliest writers to criticize the dominance of the fruit companies. She won many prizes.
caption: Lyra's depiction in the 20,000 colones banknote