Vilma Lucila Espín Guillois (1930 – 2007). Cuban revolutionary, feminist, and chemical engineer. She helped supply and organize the 26th of July Movement as an underground spy, and took an active role in many branches of the Cuban government from the conclusion of the revolution to her death. As an adamant feminist, Espín helped found the Federation of Cuban Women and promoted equal rights for Cuban women in all spheres of life.
Espín was married to Raúl Castro, the former First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, who is the brother to former First Secretary Fidel Castro. Their wedding took place in 1959, only weeks after the 26th of July Movement had successfully overthrown dictator Fulgencio Batista. They had four children.
Espín took on the role of Cuba's First Lady for 45 years, initially taking on the role as the sister-in-law to Fidel Castro, who was divorced at the time he came to power. She officially became the First Lady in 2006 when her husband, Raúl Castro, became president.
- "A tall woman with bright auburn hair, she had done post-graduate work in the US and spoke fluent English." https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/jun/20/obituaries.cuba
- "A tall woman with spectacles, her auburn hair twisted into a bun, Espin was a highly recognized figure across the island." https://www.montereyherald.com/.../wife-of-acting-cuban.../
 |
| Espìn and Raùl Castro on the day of their wedding |
No comments:
Post a Comment