[2] Since women were forbidden higher education in Colombia at that time,[1] she obtained a nursing degree from Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and then went on to study philosophy and humanities at the University of the Sorbonne in Paris[2] earning a doctorate.

[1] Currea married Ruperto Aya, a veteran of the Thousand Days' War,[2] who was instrumental in opening doors for women's rights.

[6] Currea served as Colombia's delegate to the Inter-American Commission of Women (Spanish: Comisión Interamericana de Mujeres) (CIM) from 1938 to 1948.

[1] In addition to her recognition as Woman of the Americas,[1] Currea was twice awarded the Order of Boyaca[11] in 1962 as an officer and in 1978 as a commander.

She was awarded the status of officer of the Order of Merit for Distinguished Services from the president of Peru in 1972 and decorated with the Medal of the Colombian Association of the United Nations in 1981.

In 2004 a Civil Order of Merit bearing her name was established to be awarded annually on International Woman's Day, March 8, "to the woman that at the district level who has excelled in the fields of social, cultural, labor and defense of human rights and whose contribution has led to the development and improvement of the quality of life of the community.