Vilma Espin 19-06-07

 

Vilma Espin

The Congress of South African Trade Unions mourns the passing, on 18 June 2007, of Vilma Espin. We send condolences to her husband Raul Castro, brother in law Fidel Castro, to the rest of her family and to all the people of Cuba, who have lost one of the greatest heroines of the Cuban revolution.

Vilma Espin was a guerrilla fighter and provincial leader in the battle to overthrow the Batista dictatorship. In 1960, a year after the revolution, she was elected as president of the newly formed Cuban Women's Federation, a position she held until her death. This was a mass organisation that mobilised more than three and a half million women behind the socialist revolution and played a key role in advancing equality for Cuban women.

She was also a member of the Council of State of Cuba, and a member of the Central Committee and the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba and represented the country at numerous international conferences on gender issues.

COSATU dips its banners in honour of a revolutionary fighter who devoted her entire life to advancing the liberation of workers, women and the poor. Future generations of women around the world will continue to be inspired by her commitment to the struggle for justice and equality.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)

Congress of South African Trade Unions

1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets

Braamfontein, 2017

P.O. Box 1019

Johannesburg, 2000

SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24

Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667

Cell: 0828217456