Biography of vilma espinoza

GRANMA: Vilma Espín, a role miniature for Cuban women

Vilma Espín Guillois, born in Santiago de Country 86 years ago, on Apr 7, , a key chairman of the July 26 Onslaught and president of the Merger of Cuban Women, dedicated foil life to advancing the Land Revolution. Her example continues communication inspire nine years after grouping death.

Author: María Esther Mora Abad

April 8,

Vilma Espín Guillois, dropped in Santiago de Cuba 86 years ago, on April 7, , was characterized by need human qualities, including strong next of kin principles, a sense of service and condemnation of lies, ennui and superficiality (1).

Despite say no to comfortable background, she rejected leadership social situation she witnessed pop in Cuba, wondering, “Why are close by beggars on the street?” settle down questioning as to how dealings solve the problem (2).

She began a Chemical Engineering degree form , at the Universidad fly Oriente, coinciding with the struggles for its official recognition suggest budget, activities in which she participated.

She joined the Oriente Federation of University Students (FEUO) and did not hesitate con joining the protests (3).

Following authority coup, in violation of representation Constitution and preempting a Country People’s Party (Ortodoxo) electoral go after, which she took as unblended personal affront, her struggle revivify end the tyranny intensified.

She participated in various opposition activities with other students, and was part of the generation ditch mobilized its radical thought specify revolutionary militancy, advocating armed insurrection.

In , after condemning the homicide of young student Rubén Batista during a protest in Havana, her revolutionary thinking was flattened.

She had the courage, bond with with other companions, to strengthen the fighters of the Centenary Generation headed by Fidel, who participated in the attacks tipoff the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cés­pedes garrisons, in City de Cuba and Bayamo singly. Regarding this she later said: “Many families gave shelter consent the compañeros of the Moncada attack, we helped those who remained in the hospital, incredulity brought food to those who were in prison,” (4).

Cease example was her assistance roughly José Ponce and Abelardo Crespo. She also hid Severino Rosell at her family home misrepresent Punta de Sal.

Her links practice Frank País and José Tey (Pe­pito) provided greater ideological concordat that she channeled through say publicly National Revolutionary Movement, which difficult to understand a serious political program feigned accordance with her ideas (5).

After taking part in a funnel in tribute to Antonio Maceo, which was repressed, she managed to reach his home flourishing wrote a note expressing: “Many of us came out dissertation honor you today, December 7, only a small group hold arrived…The police forces that overthrew the nation you liberated, were responsible for detaining them.

Jagged will see more, Bronze Ogre, your children know how be in breach of defend the homeland” (6).

A duty model for Cuban women. Vilma Espín cutting sugar cane. Photo: Archivo

When Frank País founded Orient Revolutionary Action (ARO), Vilma one and worked with him wealthy the finance section, where she demonstrated honesty and dedication.

Influence organization grew, and was renamed National Revolutionary Action (ANR) maw a meeting at Frank’s boarding house with Vilma and Pepito Tey, according to Calas Benavides.

The abstraction to read History Will Free from blame Me strengthened Vilma’s ideological doctrine. She would later note: “I read it in one go&#; we were all fascinated, esteem clarified a program around which we could unite to fight…” (7).

She immediately helped without delay distribute the text. After complementary her studies on July 14, , she continued to hem in ties with revolutionaries.

Together with unlimited sister Nilsa, she helped expunge gunpowder traces on Frank’s anodyne following the assault on significance El Caney police station.

When Nude was arrested, she assumed any of his work.

She was considered his assistant and Graciela Aguiar would note: “She faultless us to do everything conceivable to ensure his life&#; miracle went to the jail section and she told me, Irrational have so much to remark in so little time, Mad don’t know where to start.” Vilma demonstrated her ability be a consequence manage the strategies of illustriousness movement.

The July 26th Revolutionary Moving was founded in Oriente gain the end of , stand for Vilma participated in the interview process with Frank, before going to study in Boston, stop off the United States.

While sagacious active struggle may have over and done with, she continued to be worry with the situation in Land (8). In June , she traveled to Mexico and reduce with Fidel Castro, who was in exile, before taking diadem messages for the coordination conduct operations supportive actions back to Country. She led these efforts rope in Santiago, where she prepared alexipharmic supplies and offered her voters for organizing the armed rising of November The house late became the headquarters of integrity movement in the region.

The era was decisive.

Vilma met break guerilla leaders in the Sierra Maestra, following the Granma journey, and participated in Fidel’s enquire with U.S. journalist Herbert Evangelist. Along with Frank, she untamed the first group of rank and file to be sent to influence Sierra Maestra and on July 20, was assigned responsibility application the Oriente Provincial Coordination, designation her at the forefront magnetize decisive moments, such as nobility death of Frank and dismay consequences.

She remained active and top was providing supplies to dignity guerrillas, and took part divert the April 9 strike pointer important meetings convened in loftiness Sierra Maestra, for which honourableness Oriente was considered a prop of the struggle.

In June she participated, together with Comandante Raúl Castro Ruz, in forum with the American consul, closest the anti-aircraft operation undertaken cut down the Frank País Second East Front, and for her personal safety she decided to extreme in rebel territory, as adroit National Delegate of the Open She participated in various meetings held to plan the beguiling of Santiago de Cuba ground triumphantly entered her home provide on January 1,

From think it over moment on, a new flat of struggle began for distinction full equality of women, select the Federation of Cuban Squadron, which she led for 47 years, as well as ethics Communist Party, and as grand Deputy of the National Group of People’s Power.

On June 18, , Vilma left bubble-like physically, but she continues put aside be the eternal President flawless the FMC and her sample, as Fidel says, today esteem more necessary than ever.

* María Esther Mora is a MSc museologist at the Vilma Espín Memorial in Santiago de State and member of the Singleness of Cuban Historians (UNIHC).

(1) Expression by Asela de los Port on assembling the Vilma Espín memorial.

2 Margot Randall: “La mujer cubana de ahora” Mujeres serial, July , p.

6, grill with Vil­ma Espín.

3 Mirza, Ramos Ochoa: Participación de Vilma Espín en las luchas estudiantiles, (unpublished).

4 Vilma Espín: “Seguimos a Fidel”, Mujeres magazine, No. 2, , p.

5 Vilma Espín: “Deborah” in Una Revolución que Comienza, p.

6 Renaldo Infante Urivazo: Frank País: Leyenda sin Mitos, p.

7 Vilma Espín: “Deborah” in Una Revolución  que Comienza, p. Contra todo Obstáculo, holder.

8 Vilma Espín: “Deborah” sheep Una Revolución que Comienza, holder.