We could say a great deal about what she did, about the girl from Santiago – the second Cuban woman to graduate in Chemical Engineering – who chose a path that took her away from a comfortable existence, to Revolution.

Among the many images that come to mind is that of the young student conspiring to put an end to a corrupt, subservient regime, who began writing pamphlets and went on to become a member of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and Political Bureau and president of the Federation of Cuban Women, the FMC, a huge organization fighting for women´s rights and dignity.

Lucid and confident, her words shone just as brightly alongside Frank País, in the early days of the July 26th Movement, as they did in every struggle she undertook. She was indispensable in the underground; in the Sierra Maestra; in the educational mission she assumed within the Revolution, changing mentalities and challenging prejudices; on the international stage, where she defended Cuba’s revolutionary work; whenever she spoke, with the warmth of her spirit, on any subject.

She chose to live on the side of duty; overcoming fear in the face of horror, never trembling; participating in events that others would have avoided; building the first childcare centers with other FMC members; supported by the family she founded, to serve as an example of a woman in Revolution, speaking to us every time we recall all that we have achieved.

Vilma: The feminine force shaped by your teachings, which today defends Cuba in Revolution and our people’s irrevocable decision never to return to the past you fought, are more than enough evidence to confirm that your death is a lie.

(Taken from Granma)

Second Front, Santiago de Cuba –On a clear morning, rarely seen here, where mist usually covers the hills at daybreak, flowers arrived for Vilma Espin, from her partner in war and life, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Party Central Committee, on the 91st anniversary of the heroine’s birth, yesterday April 7.

At the foot of the monumental boulder that holds the ashes of the exemplary fighter in the underground and guerrilla struggles, within the Frank País Second Front heroes and martyrs mausoleum, the flowers were placed, alongside a wreath sent on behalf of the Cuban people, carried to the site by Lázaro Expósito Canto and Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, president and vice-president of the Provincial Defense Council.

President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez remembered Vilma on the occasion, posting a comment on Twitter, “She was the Revolution dressed as a woman. Her tender firmness in founding a work and a family, in organizing with women a Revolution within the Revolution, must serve as a permanent school in the Cuba she loved so much. A flower for Vilma Espín in her 91st year.”

(Taken from Granma)

Segundo Frente, Santiago de Cuba.– A symbol of the struggles of Cuban women for their full emancipation, heroine of the underground and guerrilla struggle, Vilma Espín Guillois, was honored, this March 8, before the monumental boulder where her ashes rest, in the mausoleum to the heroes and martyrs of the Frank País Second Front.

A bouquet of white roses and lilies, placed very close, and a floral wreath at the foot of the memorial, arrived to pay tribute to the extraordinary Santiago native, whose determination, sensitivity and love for the family, and especially for children, won her admiration in Cuba and abroad.

Leyanis Riquelmes Batista and Yudith Aguilar Valverde, president and vice-president of the Municipal Defense Council, led the commemoration and the subsequent meeting of women living in these historic mountains, who relcalled anecdotes about the legendary revolutionary fighter.

On a proud date for Cuban women, a representative group of women from Santiago also honored Mariana Grajales Cuello, Mother of the Homeland and of the legendary Maceo brothers, placing flowers, on behalf of the country’s women alongside the tomb that holds her remains in Santiago de Cuba’s patrimonial Santa Ifigenia Cemetery.

(Taken from Granma)

A floral wreath to Vilma Espín Guillois sent by her comrade in arms and companion in life, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, crowned the tribute to the heroine of the guerrilla and clandestine struggle before the monumental boulder that holds her ashes, on the 13th anniversary of her physical disappearance, June 18.

Teresa Amarelle Boué, member of the Party Political Bureau and secretary general of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), had the honor of placing the flowers beside the monument in the Frank País Eastern Front Mausoleum, while a wreath was added by Leyanis Riquelmes Batista, president of the Municipal Defense Council, in the name of the Cuban people.

Vilma was also remembered by President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who tweeted: “With Vilma in times of combat. Vilma, always present.” Highlighting the legacy of the eternal President of the FMC, the President quoted, in another tweet, a comment by the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz: “Vilma’s words are always intelligent, serene, revolutionary and sweet.”

During the tribute in these mountains, where after 14 months of difficult underground clandestine work Vilma joined the armed struggle, Amarelle insisted that she is reborn today in the determination of Cuban women to fight and win the COVID-19 battle, increase local production of food, and boost the country’s economy.

Joining Amarelle were Party Central Committee members Lazaro Expósito Canto Party and Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, president and vice-president of the Provincial Defense Council, as well as Brigadier General Agustín Peña Porres, head of the Eastern Army, who brought roses to honor this extraordinary Cuban woman.

(Source: Granma)

During the Vienna World Conference, held June 14-25, 1993, the issue of violence against women was addressed for the first time at this level, with the notable participation of Vilma and other FMC members.

“In this conference, it was recognized that all rights are universal, indivisible, and interdependent, related to each other, and thus this was made explicit in the Vienna Declaration and Action Plan,” explained Yamila González Ferrer, vice president of the Union of Cuba Jurists and member of the FMC National Committee.

Likewise, “It was clarified that the human rights of women and girls are an inalienable and indivisible component of universal human rights, and moreover established that every state, regardless of its political system, has the duty to promote and protect them,” she added.

At the Vienna Conference, Cuba was able to proudly share the achievements of the Revolution in terms of protecting women’s rights, “Although, at that time, much remained to be done, the country showed that when there is political will, the road to gender equality is much more expedite,” González stated.

“Twenty-five years since the World Conference on Human Rights, we cannot say everything has been accomplished. Every day we must join forces and continue Vilma’s example and struggles, that are today more necessary than ever,” concluded FMC Secretary General Teresa Amarelle Boué, also a Party Political Bureau and Council of State member.

A SHINING EXAMPLE

On the anniversary of her physical death, Vilma was also honored at the Frank País Second Front Martyrs and Heroes Mausoleum, with a ceremony and the placement of a floral wreath in the name of the Cuban people at the site where her remains rest.

Young women from the Camilo Cienfuegos Military School in Santiago de Cuba, chosen for their achievements, conducted the honors with the presence of hundreds of residents from Mayarí Arriba, who marched from the town to the cemetery as they do every year on this date.

(Granma)

He visited the Vilma Espín educational center located in the Havana municipality of Playa, where, along with preschool and elementary students and teachers, he participated in a tribute to the founder of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), held on the 86th anniversary of Vilma’s birth.

“I am sure that on a day like today, Vilma would be very happy,” the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution said.

“She would be seeing why she sacrificed her life, why those who die struggling for the Revolution leave energy along the way, leave strength, and struggle for this,” he added

Fidel, who will celebrate his 90th birthday in August, could be seen in the television broadcast spiritedly greeting the children and teachers, and discussing issues related to education, health and nutrition.

“Those of us who are here consider being in this school today a privilege, since this type of school is getting close to a kind of dream. I was trying to remember if I had known of a place where a school like this one existed. Such a place doesn’t appear,” Fidel said.

Boris Fuentes, the Cuban television journalist covering the event, reported that Fidel emphasized the school’s experience and its utility for rural areas.

Currently attending the Vilma Espín School are preschool and elementary children, while a middle school program is to be initiated next September.

The educational center was inaugurated April 9, 2013, with two classroom buildings, a library, as well as computer lab, and is staffed by a total of 43 individuals including teachers, assistants and service workers.

She began a Chemical Engineering degree in 1948, at the Universidad de Oriente, coinciding with the struggles for its official recognition and budget, activities in which she participated. She joined the Oriente Federation of University Students (FEUO) and did not hesitate in joining the protests (3).

Following the 1952 coup, in violation of the Constitution and preempting a Cuban People’s Party (Ortodoxo) electoral triumph, which she took as a personal affront, her struggle to end the tyranny intensified. She participated in various opposition actions with other students, and was part of the generation that mobilized its radical thought toward revolutionary militancy, advocating armed insurrection.

In 1953, after condemning the assassination of young student Rubén Batista during a protest in Havana, her revolutionary thinking was consolidated. She had the courage, along with other companions, to support the fighters of the Centennial Generation headed by Fidel, who participated in the attacks on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cés­pedes garrisons, in Santiago de Cuba and Bayamo respectively. Regarding this she later said: “Many families gave shelter to the compañeros of the Moncada attack, we helped those who remained in the hospital, we brought food to those who were in prison,” (4). An example was her assistance to José Ponce and Abelardo Crespo. She also hid Severino Rosell at her family home in Punta de Sal.

Her links to Frank País and José Tey (Pe­pito) provided greater ideological preparation that she channeled through the National Revolutionary Movement, which had a serious political program in accordance with her ideas (5).

After taking part in a parade in tribute to Antonio Maceo, which was repressed, she managed to reach his home and wrote a note expressing: “Many of us came out to honor you today, December 7, only a small group have arrived…The police forces that overthrew the nation you liberated, were responsible for detaining them. You will see more, Bronze Titan, your children know how to defend the homeland” (6).
A role model for Cuban women. Vilma Espín cutting sugar cane. Photo: Archivo

When Frank País founded Eastern Revolutionary Action (ARO), Vilma joined and worked with him in the finance section, where she demonstrated honesty and dedication. The organization grew, and was renamed National Revolutionary Action (ANR) at a meeting at Frank’s house with Vilma and Pepito Tey, according to Calas Benavides.

The opportunity to read History Will Absolve Me strengthened Vilma’s ideological convictions. She would later note: “I read it in one go… we were all fascinated, it clarified a program around which we could unite to fight…” (7). She immediately helped to distribute the text. After completing her studies on July 14, 1954, she continued to maintain ties with revolutionaries.

Together with her sister Nilsa, she helped erase gunpowder traces on Frank’s hands following the assault on the El Caney police station.
When Frank was arrested, she assumed some of his work. She was considered his assistant and Graciela Aguiar would note: “She ordered us to do everything possible to ensure his life… we went to the jail together and she told me, I have so much to say in so little time, I don’t know where to start.” Vilma demonstrated her ability to manage the strategies of the movement.

The July 26th Revolutionary Movement was founded in Oriente at the end of 1955, and Vilma participated in the consultation process with Frank, before leaving to study in Boston, in the United States. While her active struggle may have ceased, she continued to be concerned with the situation in Cuba (8). In June 1956, she traveled to Mexico and met with Fidel Castro, who was in exile, before taking his messages for the coordination of supportive actions back to Cuba. She led these efforts in Santiago, where she prepared medical supplies and offered her home for organizing the armed uprising of November 30. The house later became the headquarters of the movement in the region.

The year 1957 was decisive. Vilma met with guerilla leaders in the Sierra Maestra, following the Granma expedition, and participated in Fidel’s interview with U.S. journalist Herbert Matthew. Along with Frank, she organized the first group of men to be sent to the Sierra Maestra and on July 20, was assigned responsibility for the Oriente Provincial Coordination, placing her at the forefront of decisive moments, such as the death of Frank and its consequences.

She remained active and in 1958 was providing supplies to the guerrillas, and took part in the April 9 strike and important meetings convened in the Sierra Maestra, for which the Oriente was considered a bastion of the struggle. In June she participated, together with Comandante Raúl Castro Ruz, in talks with the American consul, following the anti-aircraft operation undertaken in the Frank País Second Eastern Front, and for her own safety she decided to remain in rebel territory, as a National Delegate of the MR -26-7. She participated in various meetings held to plan the taking of Santiago de Cuba and triumphantly entered her home city on January 1, 1959.

From that moment on, a new stage of struggle began for the full equality of women, through the Federation of Cuban Women, which she led for 47 years, as well as the Communist Party, and as a Deputy of the National Assembly of People’s Power. On June 18, 2007, Vilma left us physically, but she continues to be the eternal President of the FMC and her example, as Fidel says, today is more necessary than ever.
* María Esther Mora is a MSc museologist at the Vilma Espín Memorial in Santiago de Cuba and member of the Union of Cuban Historians (UNIHC).

(1) Speech by Asela de los Santos on assembling the Vilma Espín memorial.

2 Margot Randall: “La mujer cubana de ahora” Mujeres magazine, July 1973, p. 6, interview with Vil­ma Espín.

3 Mirza, Ramos Ochoa: Participación de Vilma Espín en las luchas estudiantiles, 2011 (unpublished).

4 Vilma Espín: “Seguimos a Fidel”, Mujeres magazine, No. 2, 2003, p. 57.

5 Vilma Espín: “Deborah” in Una Revolución que Comienza, p. 56.

6 Renaldo Infante Urivazo: Frank País: Leyenda sin Mitos, p. 104.

7 Vilma Espín: “Deborah” in Una Revolución que Comienza, p. 59.Contra todo Obstáculo, p. 23.

8 Vilma Espín: “Deborah” in Una Revolución que Comienza, p. 60.

(Granma)

By Leticia Martínez Hernández

This book, Vilma: A Special Woman, an accurate portrait of an indispensable Cuban, brings back to us the heroine who loved everything she did, who changed the lives of numerous people and who proved that a delicate woman can also be the strongest pillar.

“It’s a passionate work,” says Juan Carlos Rodríguez, director of Editorial Capitán San Luis and compiler of the text to be presented on February 22nd, at the Nicolás Guillén Hall, in the framework of the Havana International Book Fair. “The reader will find a treasure in letters and amazing testimonies because Vilma was a talented narrator who did not resort to affected or pretentious words; in her texts there is nothing missing or superfluous, they simply flow so naturally.”

These are the credentials of a book that has tried to sum up, in 240 pages, the life of Vilma Espín Guillois, from her days as Coordinator of the 26 of July Movement in the province of Oriente, when she was one of the revolutionary women most persecuted by the tyranny’s repressive bodies, through her times as an irreplaceable guerrilla with the Ejército Rebelde, to her full commitment to the Revolution, since as from January 1959 the struggle for women’s emancipation and advocacy for children’s rights added special meaning to her life.

According to Rodríguez, “the book will introduce its readers to her experiences during the fourteen months she operated in conditions of complete secrecy as well as to the way she later became involved in works of significant social justice such as the eradication of prostitution, the rescue of thousands of helpless children who survived in the streets, the education of peasant girls at the ‘Ana Betancourt’ School that she established, and the creation of the Day Care Centers among many others. The book reveals that passion she felt for everything she did.”

“The readers will better identify with our Vilma. They will become acquainted with a very brave Cuban, the same one who addressed countless international meetings advocating women’s right to full equality, and denouncing child labor, drug abuse or domestic violence…and in all those meetings she inspired great respect, even if oftentimes she had to wear again her guerrilla uniform to defend justice.”

“She is the thread of the whole story,” admits the compiler of Vilma: A Special Woman. “She is the true author; we simply put together the pieces of the puzzle based on everything she wrote and every task she undertook. From page one, the reader feels that it is Vilma recounting the events; you feel like you are just listening,” says Rodríguez for whom the possibility of learning about the wondrous world of this woman’s life meant an opportunity to meet again with the very special human being that she was.

The book offers around one thousand images, including pictures and testimonial documents, that is, not only snapshots of Vilma but also of her comrades in arms and of the times she lived.

After a two-year research you concluded that there is still much in Vilma’s life that is unkown. What could her legacy be to the youths who might be the ones less familiar with the heroine and her times?

“The book is also a portrait of the Revolution. It clearly exposes the crimes committed under Fulgencio Batista’s tyranny. The brutality of repression in Santiago de Cuba and the courage of the revolutionary youths are really stunning and for our young people it could be a lesson in history and revolutionary steadfastness. It is, above all, a lesson on the work of justice of the Revolution.”

As stated in the forewords written by Asela de los Santos Tamayo, another one of those great women who made history: “Let this book be, in the hands of our people and particularly our youth, a rapprochement to the personality of this indispensable patriot of the 20th Century, a fighter in the trenches of ideas and the trenches of rock, a relentless fighter for justice, a human being who taught us how to confront adversity and even death, always with the support of two great forces that nourished and inspired her precious life: love and ethics.”

This

book is also a testimony of Vilma’s loyalty to Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, a loyalty born during the revolutionary struggle and strengthened in more than five decades of working side by side. It was him who, on December 2001, placed on Vilma’s chest the honorary title of Heroine of the Republic of Cuba, the best tribute to her untiring labors.

Adding to the description of every one of the battles in which this indispensable woman took part, the book transpires the complicity of love, the love that drew Vilma and Raúl together from their early days as young guerrilla fighters. The words and pictures in this book bring moments they shared during the construction of a different Cuba, because Vilma: A Special Woman is the portrait of a woman who fought with the same passion with which she loved.