The Federation of Cuban Women in the Revolution

JORGE LUIS GONZÁLEZ

Vilma Espín (right), president and founder of the FMC, with Melba Hernández, a decorated Moncada Heroine.

AUGUST 23, 1960 the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) was founded by our Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro, who called on the country’s women to unite in an organization capable of fighting for full equality and against prejudices existing at that time, an organization which would support women’s participation in the Revolution’s tasks in education, work and defense. Over the past 53 years, the FMC has worked arduously in the social and political arenas, in the struggle against discrimination and the incorporation of women into all aspects of the Revolution’s work.

Cuba’s national hero José Martí emphasized, "The peoples’ campaigns are weak only when the hearts of women are not enlisted. When, however, women are moved and help, when women are motivated and applaud, when virtuous and educated women anoint an effort with the sweetness of their affection, the effort is invincible."

GRANMA