Josefina Samper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josefina Samper
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Samper in 2008
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| Born |
Josefina Samper Rojas
8 May 1927 Fondón, Almeria, Spain
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| Died | 13 February 2018 (aged 90) Madrid, Spain
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| Occupation | Syndicalist |
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| Spouse(s) | Marcelino Camacho Abad |
| Children | 2 |
Josefina Samper Rojas (born May 8, 1927 – died February 13, 2018) was a brave Spanish woman. She worked for workers' rights and women's rights. She was also a member of the Communist Party of Spain. Josefina was married to Marcelino Camacho, another important leader.
Early Life and Activism
Josefina was born in Fondón, Spain, on May 8, 1927. When she was three, her father, a miner, moved to Oran, Algeria. Her family joined him a year later. In Oran, Josefina helped her family. She took care of her younger sister. Her mother worked by washing clothes for other people.
Later, Josefina worked in a clothing shop. She helped prepare trousers. At age 12, she joined a youth group called the Unified Socialist Youth. When she was 14, she became a member of the PCE. Roberto Carrillo, whose brother was Santiago Carrillo, helped her join.
As a party activist, Josefina helped share newspapers. These papers were called España Popular. She also organized children in her neighborhood. They used cans as drums to warn people when the police were looking for hidden Republicans. Josefina also started a small group that made raffia shoes. This helped support her family and many other families. Most of these families were political refugees. Josefina found the raffia materials. The money they earned was shared based on how many shoes each person made. Josefina always took the least profit.
Working with Marcelino Camacho
Josefina soon joined other women to help immigrants and political refugees. In 1944, her party asked her to help three prisoners who had escaped from a camp. This is how she met Marcelino Camacho. They got married on December 22, 1948. They had two children, Yenia and Marcel.
In 1957, Marcelino was released from prison. They returned from exile and moved to Carabanchel, a neighborhood in Madrid. They lived in a small apartment there. In 2010, Marcelino's health made them move to a different home in Majadahonda.
In Carabanchel, Josefina and Marcelino continued their secret political work. Marcelino was often put in jail because of this. During these times, Josefina and other women started to act. Some were wives of prisoners, and others were simply Communist women. In 1965, they created the Women's Democratic Movement. This group was an early part of the feminist movement. They fought to help political prisoners both in Spain and abroad. They helped improve the conditions for these prisoners.
During these years, Josefina stopped looking for a job outside her home. She needed to spend all her time helping the cause. Her children, Yenia and Marcel, started working to bring money home. Josefina used her little free time to sew pants for a tailor and knit sweaters for a wool shop.
On November 25, 1975, King Juan Carlos I pardoned many prisoners. This included Marcelino Camacho. This marked the start of a new life for them, outside of secret activities. They could openly continue their political and union fight. Josefina kept this fight going even after Marcelino passed away.
Later Years
After Marcelino Camacho died on October 29, 2010, Josefina remained very active. She worked to keep her husband's memory and voice alive. She gave many talks across Spain. She helped inspire new generations to fight for workers' rights. Josefina Samper died on February 13, 2018.
See also
In Spanish: Josefina Samper para niños
