The founder and president of the Communist Party of Argentina (PCA) Fanny Edelman died today in Buenos Aires at the age of 100 years old, has confirmed the general secretary of that organization, Patricio Echegaray.

Edelman had been hospitalized since last Friday due to a vesicle infection, which derived in other health complications, Echegaray told to Prensa Latina News Agency via telephone.He also noted the long and intense life of the veteran activist, who devoted herself to noble causes.

On the other part, Argentinean journalist and writer Stella Calloni termed Fanny Edelman’s death an irreparable loss, and expressed her deep and endless admiration for the deceased leader. Shortly after her 100th birthday in March, the leader of PCA and also forerunner of women's struggles during the 20th and 21st centuries had received the José Martí Distinction, the highest honor conferred by the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba. “Fanny was always one the closest friends of Cuba and one of the most consistent defenders of the Cuban Revolution.

She was a politician, lawbreaker, brave, patriot and internationalist,” said the General Secretary of the Cuban Women Federation (FMC), Yolanda Ferrer about Edelman. During the ceremony, Ferrer read excerpts from a letter sent to Fanny by the former president of the FMC, Vilma Espin, on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

Some part of this letter referred to the very strong and rewarding relationship maintained between both leaders for more than four decades. “I've always enjoyed listening to Fanny. She has a great wisdom, and has lived an intense life,” wrote Espin. Upon receiving the Jose Marti Distinction, Edelman – who found the Union of Argentinean Women in 1947-, said that this distinction rewarded all those who have fought with hope and joy to reach at least a little part of what Cuba has reached in the more than 50 years of the Cuban Revolution.

“Cuba is an everyday lesson on how to defend the conquests and sovereignty of a country, on how to face difficulties with extraordinary ability”, stressed Edelman.

Fanny Edelman was born on February 27, 1911 in Cordoba province, Argentine. She was an active member of the Communist Party of Argentina for 76 years.

A translation by: Silke Paez Carr

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