Podcast

Generosa Cortina Roig was an important figure of courage and solidarity in the anti-fascist struggle. Born in 1910 in Son, a village in Pallars Sobirà, Catalonia, she experienced firsthand the socio-political upheavals of the early 20th century. Economic hardships forced her to migrate to France at the age of fifteen, where she eventually married Jaume Soldevila Pich and settled in Toulouse. She found herself thrust into clandestine operations against fascism during World War II. Her involvement in the de Jean's network, smuggling aviators and vital information across borders, underscored her pivotal role in the resistance. However, the Gestapo's relentless pursuit led to her arrest and imprisonment in concentration camps. Enduring unimaginable horrors, Generosa's spirit remained unbroken as she resisted Nazi oppression alongside fellow prisoners. After the war, Generosa's bravery and resilience were recognized with awards such as the Medal of Freedom. Despite the trauma she endured, she found peace in her later years. Generosa's story serves as a powerful reminder of the often-overlooked contributions of women in resistance movements and the enduring legacy of courage.

Julia Hermosilla Sagredo, known as "Paquita," dedicated her life to resistance against the Franco regime and the reconstruction of the CNT, an anarcho-syndicalist labor union, in post-war Spain. Born in 1916 in Sestao, Basque Country, she inherited a leftist spirit from her parents and became involved with the CNT at the age of 14. Her activism led her to participate in various resistance activities, from aiding politically persecuted peasants to serving as a militiawoman during the Spanish Civil War. Despite facing exile and hardship, she remained steadfast in her commitment to freedom aiding Spanish republicans and Jews fleeing persecution. Hermosilla was involved in multiple attempts to assassinate Franco, showcasing her unwavering dedication to the anti-fascist cause. Even in her later years, she continued to contribute to libertarian organizations, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and commitment. Her life serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of rebellion and solidarity.

"La Parrillera," or Manuela Diaz Cabezas, emerges as a symbol of resilience and defiance in the face of Francoist oppression. Born in 1920 in Villanueva de Córdoba, she lived a life defined by struggle and resistance against the fascist regime. Married to "El Parrillero," a guerrilla fighter, Manuela joined the anti-Francoist movement, supplying provisions and crucial information to the guerrilla group "Los Parrilleros." However, her involvement led to her arrest and brutal interrogation by the Guardia Civil, enduring torture and stigmatization to protect her comrades. After being acquitted, she joined the guerrillas herself, navigating the mountains of Sierra Morena while pregnant. Despite the murder of her husband by the Guardia Civil, Manuela continued her resistance along with her brother and other rebels, facing ambushes and eventual arrest. Sentenced to death, her sentence was commuted to 30 years in prison, during which she endured the loss of her eldest son and the deaths of her brother and a comrade. Finally, pardoned in 1961, she spent the rest of her life in her hometown. Manuela Diaz Cabezas's legacy serves as a reminder of the sacrifices against tyranny and the enduring spirit of resistance in the face of oppression.

Vera Vassalle (1920-1985) was a central figure of the Italian resistance during the Second World War. With the battle name "Rosa", she bridged the guerrilla movement with the Allied forces, demonstrating her bravery and dedication to the cause. Born in Viareggio, Tuscany, Vassalle quickly joined the resistance after the Italian armistice in September 1943. Chosen for a daring mission, she traveled alone through enemy lines to communicate with the Allies, gaining the trust of both sides. Trained as an OSS agent, she operated Radio Rosa, facilitating critical communications and supply distributions for partisan groups. Despite numerous dangers and betrayals, Vassalle remained steadfast. She and her husband Mario Robello, also a guerrilla, continued their resistance activities until the liberation of Lucca. Post-war, they faced discrimination but persevered, with Vassalle becoming a respected teacher. Her legacy remains a symbol of courage and dedication to freedom.

Lidia Brisca Menapace (1924-2020) stands out as an emblematic figure of resistance against Nazism and Fascism in Italy. Born into a family with strong Republican and anarchist traditions, Lidia's childhood was marked by an aversion to the fascist regime. Despite her father's opposition, Lidia pursued education at the Catholic University of Milan, where she encountered professors and organizations advocating resistance. Her decision to join the resistance was fueled by tragic events, including her father's deportation and her desire to act against oppression. As a member of the resistance, Lidia served to facilitate communication and aid Jewish refugees. Remarkably, Lidia chose to carry out her tasks unarmed, emphasizing non-violence in her resistance efforts. After the war, she became an advocate for peace, feminism, and social justice. Lidia's motto, "Let the War be out of History," epitomizes her lifelong dedication to non-violent resistance and the pursuit of peace. Despite facing challenges, including political exclusion and opposition, Lidia remained steadfast in her beliefs. Her legacy as a pacifist, feminist, and advocate for social change endures, inspiring future generations to strive for peace and freedom through non-violent means.

Teresa Mattei's life embodies a relentless pursuit of justice and resistance against fascist oppression in Italy. Born into a politically conscious family in 1921, she was exposed to anti-fascist sentiments from an early age. Mattei's defiance against authority, notably refusing to participate in racist propaganda and organizing anti-war demonstrations, marked her as a staunch opponent of fascism. She engaged in militant activities from distributing leaflets to sabotaging machinery during World War II. Despite her aversion to violence, she played a crucial role in organizing resistance efforts, utilizing her intellect and resourcefulness to aid the cause. Tragically, Mattei endured personal losses, including the arrest and torture of her brother Gianfranco and her own experience of arrest, torture, and rape by German soldiers. After the war, Mattei continued advocating for women's rights and political participation. Elected as one of the youngest members of the Constitutional Assembly, she dedicated her life to building a democratic and just Italy. Teresa Mattei's legacy lives on, honoured with various tributes, a testament to her lasting impact on Italy's history and her ongoing struggle for freedom and equality.

Barbara Labuda was born in 1949 near Wrocław, into a family belonging to the intelligentsia. She studied Romance Philology at the University of Poznań. Her decision to study modern languages gave her the rare opportunity to travel abroad. Her first travel to France coincided with the May 1968 events. There she became acquainted with French workers and feminists. During her stay in Paris, she witnessed a debate about the French abortion law, which was stricter in comparison to the Polish one. That left a strong impression on her. Upon her return to Poland, she established direct contact with leading opposition activists and developed a social activity under The Workers' Defense Committee. She created discussion meetings focused on politics, finance, social problems, human rights, and literature, which took the form of Flying University. In 1980, Barbara Labuda became a member of Independent Self-Governing Trade Union "Solidarity". She also established the first in Poland Trade Union University (Wszechnica Związkowa), which popularised knowledge about the union movement, the censorship system, the free market, and workers’ freedom. Her political activities did not go unnoticed by the state, and she was finally arrested in 1982 and imprisoned until 1983. After her release, she returned to Solidarność and continued to work in the opposition. She often wrote articles for the underground journals Tygodnik Mazowsze and Ogniwo. From 1989 onwards she was elected MP three times and she strongly opposed the changes introduced to the, once liberal, Polish abortion law. She supported women’s rights movements and unions aimed at combating discrimination against women. She established the Parliamentary Group of Women, consisting of female politicians with different world views. In 1996, she became Secretary of State during Aleksander Kwaśniewski’s term and from 2005 to 2010, she served as the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Luxemburg.

Henryka Krzywonos was born in 1953 in Olsztyn. She came from a poor family, and she had a troubled childhood. Due to her family’s dire economic situation she had to work from a very young age. She often shifted jobs until she finally became a tram driver. She drove the no. 3 and no. 15 trams that brought laborers from the Lenin Shipyard to work in Gdańsk. She was reluctant to get involved in politics until she joined the strike of the Coast’s public transport in August 1980. On August 15th, 1980, Henryka Krzywonos stopped the no. 15 tram that she was driving near the Baltic Opera in Gdańsk. This event is described as the beginning of the public transport strike in Gdańsk that took place during the August events. The strike ended with the signing of the August Agreements, which included the government's consent to legalize the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union "Solidarity". In September 1980 she became a member of the Praesidium of the Inter-Enterprise Founding Committee “Solidarność” Gdańsk. During the martial law that was imposed, she was persecuted, intimidated, and beaten, she lost her job, she was forced to go into hiding to escape arrest, but she never stopped helping people. She returned to Gdańsk in 1986. She is the only surviving female signatory of the August Agreements and since 2015 she has been a Member of the Polish Parliament.

Halina Mikołajska, born in 1925 in Krakow, was a famous Polish actress. She started her career at the Stary Theatre in Krakow and in 1950 she moved to Warsaw where she became a very famous movie actress. In 1967 during the six-day war between Arab States and Israel, Poland took sides with the Arabs and launched a campaign against the Jewish citizens of the state. These events had great impact on Halina and made her quite sceptical and critical of the regime. In the 1970s she became firmly involved in social issues and in 1975 she put her signature under a letter from 59 intellectuals opposing to a planned constitutional amendment, which resulted to putting her on the censor's list and dooming her further acting career. In 1980 she joined the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarity and in 1981, when martial law was imposed, Halina Mikołajska and together with other activists she was arrested and imprisoned for a short period. She never resumed her acting career, and she began performing as a one-woman theatre group in churches and private homes. She died on the 22nd of June 1989 just three weeks after she had cast her vote in the first partly free elections.

Maria Despiri-Svolou (1892-1976) was one of the leading personalities of the women's movement. Born in Athens, she defied social stereotypes by receiving an education and joined the Ministry of National Economy in 1921 as the first female Labour Inspector. She played a key role in various feminist organisations, supporting women's rights, social welfare, and education. During Metaxas' dictatorship, she faced political persecution and followed her husband, Al. Svolos in exile. In the early years of the German Occupation, she helped in the organisation of food rations, was associated with EAM and participated in the development of resistance organisations from her position as National Councilor to the PEEA. During the Civil War, she was again persecuted and imprisoned, while in the post-civil war period, she joined the EDA, with which she was elected as a member of parliament, continuing her activity around the women's movement. With the dictatorship of 21st April 1967, she retired from action until she died in 1978.

Fofi Lazarou (1922-2015) was a dedicated fighter and a historical member of the Left. Born into a middle-class family in Athens, she actively participated in the resistance movement against the Axis forces during World War II. She played a key role in various illegal organisations, was actively involved in the founding of a women's resistance organisation and took an organisational role in coordinating resistance movements of the student world. In 1943, she joined the EPON and was involved in the recruitment of women workers. After the end of the war, she suffered persecution, lived in conditions of total illegality, was arrested and imprisoned until 1966. With the imposition of the dictatorship of April 21st, she was persecuted again until her final release in 1973. Since then, she continued her studies at the Law School, actively participating in organisations of resistance fighters and feminist movements, while not abandoning her path in the field of the renewal left. She died in Athens in 2015.

Maria Ferla-Beikou, born in 1925, was a fervent resistance fighter in World War II and the Greek Civil War. Born into a wealthy family in Evia, Maria defied her parents to join the United Panhellenic Youth Organization (EPON) and later became a captain in ELAS (Hellenic People's Liberation Army). Joining the armed forces, she participated in battles and endured hardships. During the December events of 1944 [Decemvriana], she met her future husband Georgoulas Beikos with whom she married in 1945. During the Civil War, she joined the Greek Democratic Army, taking a staff role. In 1949, she fled to the USSR as a political refugee, where she worked in radio and studied under Andrei Tarkovsky. MB was repatriated in 1976 and worked as a translator and as an agent for visiting Soviet artists in Greece, before publishing her autobiography in 2010. She died in Athens in 2011.