Today in Labor History December 26, 1992: María Bruguera Pérez died in Madrid. Bruguera was an anarchosyndicalist, feminist, and antifascist fighter who was born in 1913 to radical parents in Jerez, in Andalucia. An activist by age nine, she joined Juventudes Libertarias and became involved with the women's theater group Ni Dios Ni Amo. Later she joined the CNT union. She was captured early in the Civil War along with her newborn son. Her mother and her lover were killed. Her father and brother narrowly escaped. Her brother was soon recaptured, but her father was able to rejoin the Republican forces and continue fighting the fascists. He died in battle a few years later. Maria Bruguera was initially sentenced to death; later commuted to 30 years in prison. However, she was released after eight years. She remained in Spain to fight the fascist regime, returning to clandestine organizing with the CNT and cofounding the Committee of Free Women, as well as the feminist magazine, “Mujeres Libertarias.” This was no simple task, as the fascists strictly controlled all aspects of Spanish life. However, Mujeres Libertarias continued to be published until her death, with its final issue, published in 1993, dedicated in her honour.
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