MAGIN: Time To Tell This Story

Edited by Daisy Rubiera and Sonnia Moro, PhD
Translated by Kathleen Fairbanks Rubin

This testimonial literature tells the story of Revolutionary Cuban feminists who dare to change the image and imagination of women in Cuba during the Special Period of the 1990s.

The women (and men) in this primary source describe their experience as members of MAGIN, a group of women communicators who bring a gender perspective to the Cuban media. They share the development of their awakening feminist consciousness. They begin to explore the intersection of race and gender and sexuality. They create images of women and of Afro-Cuban women in the media that reflect their own growth in awareness.

In their own words, the Magineras recall the still palpable sense of illumination and exhilaration as compañeras working together toward a shared vision. And, finally, they acknowledge the power in the seeds of change within themselves (and the work they continue to do), even amidst the devastation caused by the group’s sudden dissolution in 1996.

Testimonials

“I am thrilled that this book is finally available in English. Las Magineras' story is one that must be heard and, now that Cuba is so frequently in the news, should be of interest to anyone planning on visiting the Island or who simply wants to know how the true spirit of the Cuban Revolution lives on in a group of women determined to bring a gender analysis into its equation of social change. I recommend this important book to specialists in Latin America and the Caribbean, feminists, travelers, and those who simply love a good story.”

-- Margaret Randall, Author of Haydée Santamaría, Cuban Revolutionary: She Led by Transgression; Only the Road / Solo el camino: eight decades of Cuban Poetry; and Exporting Revolution: Cuba's Global Solidarity (all from Duke University Press).

“This book brings together for the first time the voices of the women Magineras and their international supporters to document an extraordinary and unprecedented project of feminist social transformation in Cuba. It contains important lessons and inspiration for all of those interested in working for gender justice and equality today.”

-- Sujatha Fernandes, Professor, Departments of Political Economy and Sociology, The University of Sydney

“MAGIN's impressive, creative and determined accomplishments initiated then (what US feminists call today) an Intersectional analysis to understand and change gender, sexual and racial inequalities in Cuba. Magineras' powerful storytelling about feminism in Cuba is an essential contribution to our knowledge of Cuban women who impacted Cuba's Revolution during the 1990's Special Period. Their story remains relevant today. A must-read!”

-- Jan Strout, Instructor, Montana State University - Bozeman, Co-founder & National Steering Committee, U.S. Women and Cuba Collaboration

English PDF Edition

All net proceeds from book sales go directly to Magineras.  Translation, editing, digital design, publishing, and promotion services provided without compensation in order to support Magín’s vision and legacy.