Dolores Ibarruri Spanish communist, nicknamed Pasionaria, i.e. Fiery. Date of Birth: 09.12.1895 Country: Spain

1. Biography of Dolores (Isidora) Ibarruri (Peres)
2. Early Life and Activism
3. Role in the Spanish Civil War
4. International Activism
5. Later Years and Achievements

Biography of Dolores (Isidora) Ibarruri (Peres)

Dolores Ibarruri (Peres) was a Spanish communist, known as "La Pasionaria," which means "The Passionate." She played a significant role as the leader of the Communist Party of Spain during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) against the fascist rebels and the intervention of Italy and Germany. Ibarruri was born on December 9, 1895, in Gállarta, Biscay province, and passed away in 1989.

Early Life and Activism

Ibarruri was born into a mining family and joined the socialist organization in the town of Somorrostro in 1917. Under the name "La Pasionaria," she started writing for workers' publications. A few years later, she became a member of the Communist Party of Spain, which was founded in April 1920. Ibarruri served as the editor of several communist newspapers and was a member of the Biscay Provincial Committee of the Communist Party. In 1930, she became a member of the Central Committee and, in 1932, a member of the Political Bureau (later the Executive Committee) of the Communist Party of Spain. From 1932 to 1942, she served as the Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Spain. During this time, she also led the party's work among women and was one of the editors of the party's newspaper, "Mundo Obrero."

Role in the Spanish Civil War

Ibarruri was elected as a deputy to the Cortes (Spanish parliament) in 1936 and later became the Vice-Chairperson of the Cortes in 1937. As the leader of the Communist Party of Spain, she played a crucial role during the National Revolutionary War, leading the Spanish people against the fascist rebels and the intervention of Italy and Germany from 1936 to 1939. After the war, Ibarruri went into exile in 1939.

International Activism

During World War II (1939-1945), Ibarruri actively fought for the unity of the Spanish people in a national front to prevent Spanish dictator Franco from joining the war on the side of Nazi Germany. She participated in the international anti-fascist movement and was one of the founders of the International Democratic Federation of Women in 1945. Ibarruri's son, Ruben (1920-1942), was a Hero of the Soviet Union and died defending Stalingrad against the fascist forces.

Later Years and Achievements

In 1942, after the death of José Díaz, Ibarruri became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Spain. She delivered a report at the 5th Congress of the Communist Party of Spain in 1954, focusing on the situation in Spain and the tactics of the party. Ibarruri was elected as the Chairperson of the Communist Party of Spain at the 6th Congress in 1960. She authored numerous books and articles, leading the commission of the Central Committee in compiling the "History of the Communist Party of Spain" in 1960. Her autobiography, "The Only Path," was translated into several languages.

Ibarruri received numerous accolades throughout her life, including the International Lenin Peace Prize in 1964 and an honorary doctorate from Moscow State University in 1961. She was awarded the Order of Lenin and various medals by the Soviet Union for her contributions to the communist movement and her fight for peace.