Cubans pay tribute to Vilma Espín on her 90th birthday

Havana, April 7 (RHC) Cubans are paying tribute to the legacy of revolutionary fighter and defender of the full rights of women Vilma Espín, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of her birth, this Tuesday.

Born in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, she was an underground fighter under the orders of Frank País, especially during the uprising of November 30, 1956, in that city.

Since her youth, she held revolutionary political positions. She actively participated in student demonstrations after the March 10, 1952 coup d'état by dictator Fulgencio Batista.

She joined the Rebel Army in the Sierra Maestra when her life was in extreme danger in the urban uprising. She was a member of the 2nd Guerrilla Front, led by Commander Raul Castro.

After the triumph of the Revolution in 1959, she led political and state actions to materialize Cuban women's full realization and enjoyment of their rights.

Vilma Espín is remembered as the founding president of the Federation of Cuban Women, created in 1960 to promote policies and programs aimed at achieving the full exercise of women's equality in all areas and at all levels of society.

She was also a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba from its foundation in 1965, a deputy in the National Assembly of People's Power from its first legislature and a member of the Council of State.

Vilma Espín chaired the parliamentary committees on prevention and social care, as well as the committee on children, youth, and equal rights for women in the legislative body.