Vilma Espín Guillois, a heroine of the clandestine struggle, an outstanding combatant of the Rebel Army and untiring fighter for the emancipation of women and the defense of the rights of children, passed away on June 18, 2007.
Vilma founded the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) in 1960. She was a member of the Central Committee of the Comunist Party of Cuba (PCC) since its founding in 1965. This condition was ratified in all FMC Congresses. In 1980, on the occasion of the 2nd PCC Congress, she was elected alternate member of the Political Bureau of the PCC, and in the 3rd Congress she was promoted to an active member of that leadership, until 1991.
Vilma was an eternal fighter. She was deputy to the National Assembly since the first legislature and member of the Council of State since its founding. Since its creation, it has presided over the National Commission for Prevention and Social Care, the Commission for Children, Youth and Equality of Women's Rights, of the National Assembly of People's Power.
Twelve years after Vilma's physical disappearance, her name is eternally linked to the most significant achievements of Cuban women in the Revolution and to the most important fighters for the emancipation of women in our country and in the world.
For her outstanding merits Vilma received several recognitions, titles and national and international orders, including the honorary title of Heroin of the Republic of Cuba. He was born in Santiago de Cuba on April 7, 1930.
