Reading Response on The Making of a Cuban Socialist Feminist

Latin American Reading Response
Author’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Code and Name
Professor’s Name
Date

Latin American Reading Response
Question 1: Ofelia Dominguez Navarro: The Making of a Cuban Socialist Feminist (Write a 200 word response).
In the introduction, the editors stated that Cuba’s feminist movement was shaped by culture, history, and the class position of its leadership. In your opinion, did Ofelia Dominguez Navarro advocate for shedding or upholding traditional gender norms?
Ofelia Dominguez Navarro became a renowned advocate for women’s rights in 1923. Indeed, having endured the harsh reality of life in Cuba while growing up, Ofelia was determined to change the perception of females who suffered at the hands of their male counterparts. In particular, Ofelia was an advocate for shedding traditional gender norms that suppressed women’s rights. As a teacher, the individual sacrificed her salary to build a schoolroom. She started a school that taught children how to read, write, sing, arithmetic, and physical education. Ofelia knew that the best way to change society is through education. While Ofelia taught in Jorobada, she continued with her studies in law, and after graduating, she went to Santa Clara then to Havana to practice law (Stoner, 1997). Her work became that of defending thieves, prostitutes, and murderers. However, Ofelia was compassionate toward prostitutes since they were made to suffer for men’s transgressions. Ofelia’s urge to change the traditional gender norms and fight for women’s rights motivated her to establish two feminist organizations, namely Alianza Nacional Feminista and Club Femenino de Santa Clara (Stoner, 1997). Through these organizations, Ofelia was always in the frontline to ensure that females were granted equal rights to that of their male counterparts. Ofelia knew that changing women’s perceptions of the issues they encountered in society would play a significant role in red...