On Thursday afternoon, the General Assemblies of Álava hosted a heartfelt ceremony honoring all the women who have shaped the history of the Chamber since its restoration after the death of Franco. The event was filled with reunions, kisses, hugs, words of affection, complicity, and, above all, a great deal of emotion.
The tribute began with the seven pioneers who took office as procurators on the historic date of May 7, 1979, and continued with the approximately 120 women who, over the subsequent eleven legislatures, have carried on their legacy. The current president of the Álava legislature, Irma Basterra, praised the commitment of these women and their work in building a more egalitarian Álava.
“"Fantastic women, committed to the most basic rights, who have dedicated your lives, out of conviction, to building a more egalitarian Álava."
Two of those seven precursors, Aburto and López de Vergara, attended the event, as did María Teresa Rodríguez Barahona, the second president of the Chamber. Procurators from virtually all political families that have formed the plenary halls of the institution were also present.
“"Today, women of all ages, with diverse ideologies and thoughts, look each other in the eye and... look! It's invisible, but we are weaving a powerful web of complicity that transcends difference."
Beyond the tribute, the occasion also served to publicly present an artwork that will permanently commemorate all these assembly members who have been part of the Álava parliament for the past 47 years. This artistic installation, made possible by the collaboration of the School of Arts and Crafts, alludes to the hands of the women who have shaped the territory, using stones collected by students from the Gasteiz center in the seven cuadrillas of Álava.
