For Dianelis Tejeda, the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC by its acronym in Spanish), now 29 years old, has the same flow of energy with which the Federation of Hydrographic and Geodesy Engineers (FMC in Spanish) has been able to attract her during the most crucial moments of her life. She tells me that she has entered the organization through the wide door, as she is already a member of the ranks of "Las Brígidas Tuneras."
With a vehemence that knows no secrets, she assures me that she came to the work of the women's organization too late. As a girl she studied at the National School of Gymnastics in the country's capital, almost by chance she became a "Camilito", then she enrolled at the Naval Academy and it was in 2017, back home, that she was able to become part of the unifying mass that now also keeps her awake at night and adds to her efforts.
Since I graduated, I haven't had much time to spare," she says. First, I concentrated on doing a master's degree in Geomatics, but as well as collecting data for nautical publications, I became involved in the work of the CDRs and, of course, became a real member of the federation.
"We live in times of many economic and social challenges, where young people are much more like their time than their mothers or grandmothers, therefore, to bring them into the FMC is a challenge and we have to reach them by example, with timely accompaniment and not with speeches.
"From my community, from my block, I insist on the need we have today for better accompaniment, to protect not only women but to emphasize girls, young women, and elderly women who live in vulnerable situations, who are victims of abuse and neglect. That is where we have to look.
"When I was put forward as a candidate for the provincial secretariat of the FMC, I felt that many other women had more merit. I know that I have to prove my worth, but I can assure you that I am driven by commitment and that strength moves mountains.
"WE CAN NOT GIVE UP"
In the same room, a row before Dianelis, Ena Margarita Ponce de León, knows she deserves to lead the Brígidas of Las Tunas, being one of the two founders who honor this confraternity that wisely mixes new energy with experience.
"The Brígidas are the vanguard within the FMC, as a spearhead to take care of the history of our best exponents and not let them lose the feats that have been gestated on Las Tunas soil and of which we have been protagonists": says the veteran.
Ena is about to turn 82 and confesses that she is still active as secretary of Block 36, where she lives on A Street, in the Aurora district of this city. Her gait is now much slower and she sometimes needs a strong arm to help her get up, but her priorities are still the organization.
I joined its ranks in 1960. From the very moment of the revolutionary triumph, we took on social tasks, we participated in everything that was needed, a group of us had to go to the camps to talk to the women and explain to them the importance of uniting in a united front. With that goal in mind, I arrived in the area of Vázquez and Manatí.
"The beginnings were not easy. There was a lot of machismo and the husbands would not allow their wives to join, they were afraid and didn't want to get into trouble. Getting them to join the federation was a gigantic task of which I am very proud for my part.
"I started working, thanks to the women's organization, as an administrator in a bazaar, and then I went on to work at the Blue House, then at the Provincial Party headquarters, where I retired.
"We federated women have changed realities, we have contributed to women's empowerment, but today we still have things to do. There is a lack of greater involvement of young people on this front, we need to revitalize our ranks, to rescue the best values that have accompanied us for 63 years.
"We can't impose anything on young people; we have to try to guide them with certainty, although sometimes it's not very easy; but we talk to the girls and teenagers so that they can prepare themselves. We involve them in today's goals, we make them participate in our achievements, and that has to be done from the block, in the community.
"My children ask me how long I am going to be the secretary of the bloc and I don't even have to answer them. The FMC gives me strength, it gives me purpose, it accompanies me with young people, and nourishes me with a spirit of renewal because that is what we federate are: renewal".
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In the heat of a new anniversary of the FMC, "Las Brígidas Tuneras" met, as a sort of pretext to embrace the new members, honor the veterans, and rethink how to continue guiding women in the empowerment of their rights.
Teresa Amarelle Boué, Secretary-General of the FMC in Cuba, other members of the national secretariat, and some leaders from neighboring provinces were the guests of honor.
