Fidel Castro on the founding of the FMC: A historic and promising day
The Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) was founded on August 23, 1960 after the merger of all existing women’s organizations in Cuba. Vilma Espín was elected president of the organization.
Fidel Castro with Vilma Espín and Gilberto Cervantes, president of the Cuban Red Cross, at the founding ceremony of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) at the Lázaro Peña theater in Havana, August 23, 1960. Photo: Tirso Martínez
That day, the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, gave a speech highlighting the role of women in the Revolution. We share some phrases here from this emotional speech:
Active participation of Cuban women
“The Revolution has, without a doubt, a very large support in the female sector of our population, that is why, from the first moments, a series of activities were observed with the active participation of Cuban women. It was nothing new for our country. Our country can feel fortunate in many things, but among them, first of all, for the magnificent people it has. Here, not only men fight; here, like men, women fight.”
A decisive force for our Revolution
“This unification of all the female sectors of the Revolution is to constitute a force, an enthusiastic force, a numerous force, a great force and a decisive force for our Revolution.”
Federation of Cuban Women, united in that word: Cubans
“And today women meet and constitute this Federation of Cuban Women, united in that word: Cubans, and united in that flag that they carry in their hands. And they have united to work, to work and to fight; they have united for all the tasks that the Revolution brings us; they have united for the fight and they have united for work; they have united to help the country in any circumstance.”
The Revolution counts on the Cuban woman
“That is why we count on the Cuban woman, the Revolution counts on the Cuban woman! and it is the task of the Federation to organize the Cuban woman, to prepare the Cuban woman, to help the Cuban woman in all orders: in the social order, in the cultural order; raising their preparation through courses, through publications; keeping them up to date on all the issues that are of interest to women; keeping them up to date on women’s issues throughout the world, connecting them with the cultural and social activities of women throughout the world, bringing them women’s publications from around the world, news from around the world; and bringing news and publications of Cuban women to the whole world.”
Let us celebrate with joy this historic and promising day
“(…) let there not be a single revolutionary woman who is not grouped in the Federation of Cuban Women, and you will see how the Revolution will be able to count on one more force, on a new organized force, on a tremendous social and revolutionary force. That is why we, today, on the same day that is being discussed there, celebrate with joy this historic and promising day of the constitution of the Federation of Cuban Women.”
Let us put the creative spirit into action
“And now, let us work, organize and put into action the creative spirit, the enthusiasm of the Cuban woman, so that the Cuban woman, in this revolutionary stage, makes the last vestige of discrimination disappear; and that the Cuban woman, for her virtues and for her merits, has the place that corresponds to her in the history of the country.”
Fidel Castro with Vilma Espín during the founding ceremony of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC)
at the Lázaro Peña Theater in Havana, August 23, 1960. Photo: Institute of Cuban History
Fidel Castro with Vilma Espín, Celia Sánchez (center) during the founding ceremony of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) at the Lázaro Peña Theater in Havana, August 23, 1960. Photo: Mujeres Magazine
The Federation of Cuban Women will celebrate its 65th anniversary this year.
Fidel Castro sobre fundación de la FMC: Día histórico y prometedor | Fidel soldado de las ideas
In the history of Cuba there are many examples of selfless women, of women who have given themselves completely to the revolutionary process, the list would be endless, many with their example and selflessness contributed to building the Cuban Revolution. After the triumph, each one in her position occupies a place of vanguard and commitment. Let each anniversary be an echo of the commitment Fidel established: “Without women, the enormous work of the Revolution would not have been possible. Throughout these difficult years, there has been no economic, social and political task, there has been no scientific, cultural and sporting achievement, there has been no contribution to the defense of our soil and the sovereignty of the Homeland, which has not counted on the invariably enthusiastic and patriotic presence of the Cuban woman. No one like her has made the greatest sacrifices in the special period that we are still living, nor has she risen so high as to turn daily effort into a feat.”
