Being a grassroots leader of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC by its acronym in Spanish) in Las Tunas has marked the life of Adelfina Batista Benítez.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- At 79 years of age, Adelfina has been a women's leader for more than 40 years, "since we moved to this community when the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR in Spanish) and the FMC were formed, and since then I have been in charge of Delegation one of Block 63, here in Reparto Santos."

Despite having been proposed on several occasions to lead the bloc, she has preferred the delegation, "I like working with women, that's why I prefer to be where the contact is more direct, I can tell you that I have had many satisfactions, especially with the young women and in the integration, which at the moment we have achieved 100 percent."

"Thanks to the executive that I have and the work of the activists, we have a good functioning, since January we have complied with the finances, we maintain a close link with the medical clinic and so far we do not have pregnant teenagers, which is a problem in the territory, nor are there any young people who are disconnected from their studies."

"We never overlook any anniversary, we used to make caldosa or a 'Cuban table' with what each of us contributed; now the situation is a little more difficult, but we don't stop getting together, we talk about the date, we enjoy the talent of the children and we have even exchanged gifts that we have made ourselves."

"Those of us who have gone grey hair belong to the Ernesto Guevara Grandparents' Circle, where we also do joint activities, visit historical places, even in other provinces. We have also participated in sporting events, and we exhibit the work of creative women."

"Bertha has a reference garden and we also have medicinal plants planted for the benefit of all the neighbors in the building."

For Adelfina Batista Benítez, who retired from the Telecommunications Company (ETECSA in Spanish), working in the FMC has been rewarding and although she is already preparing for her successor, she says that as long as she is healthy and her federates love her, she will continue to lead her Delegation because that is her commitment to the organization and its eternal president Vilma Espín.