The contribution of women from Camagüey to Cuban letters is unquestionable. Important names stand out, among them, that of Domitila García Duménico, who has the merit of being recognized as the first female typographer and Journalist.
In the newspaper La Antorcha she gives her initial steps, first in Manzanillo and later with his transfer to Puerto Príncipe. She then founded in 1866, together with the poet Sofía Estévez, the weekly newspaper El Céfiro, which, according to Domitila herself, had a very enthusiastic reception; despite its short duration due to the outbreak of the Ten Years’ War.
Arrival in Havana
Along with his father, Rafael García, she moved to Havana, where she published the same year 1868, the poetic-photographic album of Cuban writers and poetesses, dedicated to Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda and to rescuing from oblivion, those women who made the word their best gift, but in which she omits critical judgments. This album had several editions.
Successively, from her efforts, the Eco de Cuba, the Correo de Las Damas and the Crónica Habanera were born. She also collaborates with publications in La Guirnalda, El Hogar, El Fígaro and La Discusión, among others. In this period of time, she married Nicolás Coronado, with whom she has three children, so from that moment on, she would add her husband’s surname to her signature.
A tireless fighter
At the same time, she develops her work around the vindication of her gender, fighting fierce battles and through her writings, where progressive ideas with their respective limitations are observed.
She also defends education, teaching and culture as can be seen with the published book: Method of readings and brief notions of elementary instruction, and with the creation of the school for poor children “Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles”.
Other tasks
She founded the first Academy of Typographers and Bookbinders in the country. Already in the 20th century, she would appear as a Member of Merit and Honorary Faculty of almost all the national literary and recreational societies of the time. She is also part of the secretariat of the Patriotic Board of Havana. She participates as a delegate of honor to the I National Congress of Women held in the capital in 1923.
The last good-bye
Her death, which occurred at the age of 90, would go deep into the depths of the Cuban people and, in particular, of the people of Camagüey. There were several displays of admiration for the writer, journalist and poet before her death.
Bibliography
Pardo Ortega, Yurislenia. Domitila García: una camagüeyana “adelantada”. Periódico Adelante, 8 de marzo del 2018.
García de Coronado, Domitila. Álbum poético-fotográfico de escritoras y poetisas cubanas. Imprenta de “El Fígaro”. La Habana, 1926.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
