Mileidy Crespo Pérez, Addys Oliver Moreno, and Moraima Martínez Reynaldo proudly parade their gender and their peasant roots in the streets of the towns and villages of the province of Las Tunas, at events and even in the Convention Palace.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- But their essence springs forth, like an inexhaustible spring, in the paths they walk every day, in the flowers that flood the gardens, in the grateful hand that always greets passers-by, and in the daily chores of their homes and rural communities.
They are the three peasant women who represented the territory of Tunisia at the 11th Congress of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC in Spanish) and although this is a great honor, they feel equally recognized when they accompany other women in breaking taboos, eliminating inequalities, and being useful.
Mileidy demonstrates this every day with those who live in Kilometer 6 of the southern municipality of Amancio and with those associated with the Sabino Pupo credit and services cooperative. There she is an example, and not only because of her determination to sow the land and raise livestock for food.
"Attending the 11th Congress of the FMC is one of the greatest achievements of my life and I brought with me the women of my municipality and province, especially peasant women like me. I live very proud to be in the countryside, where I have felt a lot of empowerment in recent times."
"Now we are stronger, braver, more independent, and fuller. We are even leaders of collectives, production units, and neighborhoods. We have learned to recognize our vulnerabilities, but also to assess our strengths and put them to use in many tasks."
Addys, a native of Majibacoa who has been a member of various political and governmental bodies, as well as of the National Association of Small Farmers (Anap in Spanish) in La Esperanza and the agricultural production cooperative Frank País García, is equally excited.
"We bring to the 11th Congress the work that we carry out daily at the grassroots because women in the peasant sector are not only involved in food production, but their presence is a determining factor in all the activities that take place in our communities.
"We have not been left behind and we commit to the Revolution. We have made it concrete in the FMC-ANAP brigade, in supporting the school and the family medical clinic, and in seeking solutions to any problem in the neighborhood."
Also proud is Moraima Martínez Reynaldo, a tireless woman who multiplies her efforts in her credit and service cooperative Josué País García, or in the Barranca area of the head municipality. There she is always immersed in development and collaboration projects, with women in mind.
"The work in the community is hard because we have to overcome many economic difficulties to continue building the future, with the legacy of Comandante Fidel Castro. I feel very proud of my neighbors, friends, and family."
"Representing them at the 11th Congress is a dream come true and it also becomes a commitment because there is no work, big or small, without the participation of women. That is why we will continue to dedicate ourselves to the primary objective of dignifying rural women."
Mileidy, Addys, and Moraima are just three rural women from the province of Las Tunas. Three among many others who give their efforts and smiles, actions, and words in the valuable task of producing food.
They do it in the fields and at home, as workers and wives of the presidents of their production units. And the best thing is that wherever they are, they will continue to be an example for all.
