Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel chaired the ceremony to acknowledge the work of members of the Cuban Women's Federation (FMC), local media reported on Tuesday.

Havana, Cuba.- At the political-cultural gala, held on Monday in the El Laguito Protocol Hall, five FMC members received the Mariana Grajales Order (the highest distinction awarded by the organization), 18 received the Ana Betancourt Order, and seven were awarded the 23 de Agosto distinction, the Cuban News Agency (ACN) reported.

FMC Second Secretary Rosmery Santiesteban recalled the figure of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, and the heroine Vilma Espín, as the main promoters of the creation of the FMC.

Regarding the decorated women, she explained that they have been an inseparable part of important processes, in the defense of women’s right to participate in all spheres of the country’s life.

The Heroine of Labor of the Republic Bertha Luz Rodríguez, who was awarded the Mariana Grajales Order, expressed her pride and joy for receiving this important distinction and said that many memories and experiences, as well as accumulated anecdotes related to her work in the organization, passed through her mind during the ceremony. (PL)