The Lanzarote Cabildo, through the Department of Social Welfare and Inclusion, held an event this Friday in the Islote de la Fermina to recognize the career of eight women who have left a significant mark on the society of Lanzarote and La Graciosa. This tribute, framed in the commemoration of International Women's Day, highlights the importance of the female role in sectors such as education, health, the economy, politics and the primary sector, among others.
As part of this recognition, the Cabildo has produced a series of eight videos that collect the testimony and trajectory of each of the honorees. These audiovisual pieces will be distributed in educational centers with the aim of serving as a didactic resource and promoting the transmission of values with a gender perspective among students.
The president of the Lanzarote Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, stressed during the event the importance of making visible the effort and dedication of these women in their respective fields. "Today we celebrate the commitment, the struggle and the inspiration that these eight women represent. Their example drives us to continue advancing towards a more equitable and just society. From education to business, from the primary sector to politics, their commitment to progress, social justice and equity inspires us to continue fighting for a future in which no girl, no young woman, no woman sees her dreams limited," said Betancort.
Leading Women 2025
The awardees in the second edition of Leading Women of Lanzarote and La Graciosa 2025 are Laureana Hernández Cabrera, teacher and former director of CEIP Benito Méndez, with a distinguished career in education and social inclusion as president of Adislan; Amor López Sirvent, businesswoman in the winery sector and a key agent in the Harimaguadas project, which supports women victims of gender violence and Esther Cabrera Quintero, businesswoman in the transport sector and founder of the Atria Association, committed to the projection of women entrepreneurs in Lanzarote.
Also receiving recognition were Ana María Oncina Cordón, director of ESACAN and active member of Atria, with a strong commitment to work-life balance and female empowerment; Cristina Rosa Martín, farmer and entrepreneur in the primary sector who has broken barriers both in agriculture and in the inclusion of people with hearing impairments; Inés Nieves Rojas de León, teacher, politician and author of the book Sin género de duda, a reference in the use of inclusive language; Vicenta Monge García, founder of the Tiermar Rural Women's Association, promoting equality in rural areas and María del Carmen Toledo Martín, farmer in La Graciosa and representative of the primary sector in the eighth island.
"All of them women who have demonstrated with their effort and dedication that talent and ability do not understand gender," said the Minister of Social Welfare and Inclusion, Marci Acuña. "They are role models," he added, "that remind us of the importance of continuing to advance in equality and breaking down barriers for future generations; this tribute is not only a recognition of their careers, but also a commitment of the Cabildo to real and effective equality in all areas of our society," Acuña concluded.
Also present at the event were the vice-president of the Cabildo, María Jesús Tovar, and the Minister of Youth, Commerce and Industry, Aroa Revelo, who supported and congratulated the awardees and their families.
'Voices of Women' Conference
Within the program of commemorative activities for March 8, the Cabildo of Lanzarote also organized, in collaboration with the Canarian Association Women without Shadow, the 'Voices of Women' Conference, a space for meeting and reflection that served to highlight the voices and experiences of women leaders in different fields.
The conference offered a forum for inspiration and networking with the aim of promoting gender equality and female empowerment. The event also featured a panel discussion under the title 'Women who inspire' and an interactive activity called 'Open Microphone', where attendees could share their own stories, reflections or questions.
The events to commemorate 8M will continue this Saturday with the demonstration at 11:00 am that will depart from La Plazuela in Arrecife and the subsequent reading of various manifestos. Also, and as a symbol of commitment to equality, the facade of the Cabildo of Lanzarote will be illuminated in violet, on the nights of this Friday and Saturday.