Philately on International Women’s Day
The fighter of Che guerrilla in Bolivia Haydee Tamara Bunke Bider is the model of woman committed to a cause
By Rogelio Viera
Although women must be honored every day of the year, March 8 is the day chosen so that this is not forgotten internationally, and as José Martí said of them “… their fine and sensitive nature designates to them tasks that are more difficult and greater.”
From this section of Philately we want to pay tribute to all women who, embracing a just cause, give themselves in body and soul to the cause, like Tamara Bunke, better known as Tania the Guerrilla, when in this year we arrive at the 50th anniversary of her death in combat on August 31, when she was a member of the Che guerrilla in Bolivia
These difficult and greater tasks she carried out did not prevent her fine and sensitive nature from being manifested, as can be seen in this beautiful poem written on the notepad found after her death.
To leave a memory
What shall I take with me, like flowers that perish?
Will my name be nothing someday?
Will nothing leave behind me on the earth?
At least flowers, at least songs…
How shall my heart beat?
Perhaps, is it in vain that we come to live, to grow up on the earth? “
In 1972, five-year after the declaration of October 8 as Guerilla Day, a postal issue was issued where one of the stamps, with a face value of $ 0.13 cents, showed the face of Tamara Bunke (Tania) and a map of Bolivia marking the place of her fall.
Serve this memory of her short; but intense life as a worthy tribute to all women in their day.
Key Words: Havana, International Women’s Day, philately, Tamara Bunke, Tania the Guerrilla, Che guerrilla in Bolivia.
Translated by ESTI