Ángeles Flórez Peón facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ángeles Flórez Peón
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| Born | 17 November 1918 Blimea, Spain
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| Died | 23 May 2024 (aged 105) |
| Other names | Maricuela |
| Occupation | Activist, writer |
| Organization | Socialist Youth of Asturias |
| Political party | Spanish Socialist Workers' Party |
| Spouse(s) |
Graciano Rozada Vallina
(m. 1946; died 2003) |
Ángeles Flórez Peón (born November 17, 1918 – died May 23, 2024) was a brave Spanish activist and writer. She was also known by her special nickname, Maricuela. At the time of her passing, she was thought to be the very last living Spanish socialist militiawoman. This means she was one of the last women who fought for socialist ideas during a tough time in Spain's history. She was also the honorary president of the Socialist Youth of Asturias (JSA).
Contents
Her Early Life and Activism
Ángeles Flórez Peón was born in a place called Blimea, Spain, on November 17, 1918. She started working when she was only 9 years old, doing jobs like scrubbing floors.
When she was 15, something very sad happened. Her older brother, Antonio, was killed. He died with 23 other men during a time when a big workers' strike in October 1934 was stopped by force in Carbayín. This difficult event made Ángeles want to join the Socialist Youth group in 1936.
Joining the Fight
After a military takeover in July 1936, Ángeles became a militia member in Colloto. A militia member is someone who is part of a group of citizens trained like soldiers, often to protect their community. She also worked as a nurse in a field hospital in Gijón.
Her special nickname, Maricuela, came from a play. She acted in this play when she was 17, right when the Spanish Civil War began. The play was called ¡Arriba los pobres del mundo! and Maricuela was the main character.
Life During the Spanish Civil War
Ángeles was arrested in October 1937. She was first sentenced to spend 15 years in prison. However, this was later changed to 9 years. In May 1938, she was moved to Saturrarán prison in Gipuzkoa. She stayed there until August 1941, when she was allowed to leave on parole. This meant she could leave prison but had to follow certain rules.
After leaving prison, she lived for a while in Barakaldo with her sister. Later, she moved to Oviedo and then to L'Entregu. She worked in a chigre (a type of bar or tavern) and then in a pharmacy.
Marriage and Exile
In 1946, Ángeles married Graciano Rozada Vallina. Graciano was involved in helping to restart important political and worker groups, like the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) in Asturias. Because of his political work, Graciano had to escape to France in August 1947 to avoid being arrested.
Ángeles and their daughter joined him in France in March 1948, after a difficult event involving a group of freedom fighters. She continued to be active in politics while living outside her home country. She even took part in an important meeting for the PSOE in 1958.
Returning Home
In 1960, Ángeles returned to Spain to visit her family. She was arrested at the border, but she was still allowed to visit Asturias before going back to France. In 2003, her husband, Graciano, passed away in Saint-Éloy-les-Mines. A year later, Ángeles returned to Asturias for good. She settled in Gijón and joined the JSA again in early 2013.
Sharing Her Story
In 2014, when she was 95 years old, Ángeles Flórez started using Facebook. She used this social media site to share her ideas and political opinions with others.
She also wanted to help people remember the history of her time and her generation. So, in 2013, she published a book called Memorias de Ángeles Flórez Peón 'Maricuela'. In this book, she collected stories and experiences from the Revolution of 1934 and the Civil War. In 2018, she presented another book of her memories, Las sorpresas de Maricuela, at the Madrid Book Fair.
Ángeles Flórez Peón lived a very long and full life. She passed away on May 23, 2024, at the age of 105.
Honored for Her Work
Ángeles Flórez Peón received several special awards for her dedication and bravery.
Awards and Tributes
In October 2016, a group called the Club of 25 honored Ángeles Flórez. They gave her an award for "her defense of freedom and democracy." She received this award from Cristina Fallarás, who was the director of Diario 16. This feminist association gives out these awards every year to highlight women and the challenges they face. Other famous women who received awards included journalist Pepa Bueno and writer Almudena Grandes.
On October 21, 2017, Ángeles received another important award called the Pozu Fortuna Award. This award is given each year by the Pozu Fortuna Forum Association, working with the Mieres city council. It honors people, groups, or organizations who have shown great humanity, freedom, kindness, peace, and who defend human rights. The award ceremony took place near the Mieres well, which is a place where many people were buried together in Asturias.
Her Books
- Memorias de Ángeles Flórez Peón 'Maricuela' (2009), published by José Barreiro Foundation
- Las sorpresas de Maricuela (2013), published by Ediciones Trea, Gijón, ISBN: 9788497047104
See also
In Spanish: Ángeles Flórez Peón para niños
