250,000 volunteers taught 700,000 people to read and write in Cuba during the 1961 Literacy Campaign, with over half of the teachers being women.
Synopsis
250,000 volunteers taught 700,000 people to read and write in Cuba during the 1961 Literacy Campaign, with over half of the teachers being women.
Go deeperSynopsis
Cuban women teachers, some as young as 15, took to rural communities in 1961 to combat illiteracy during the Cuban Literacy Campaign. They joined 250,000 volunteers who aimed to teach reading and writing to 700,000 people in one year. Maestra features interviews with nine of these women, including Norma Guillard and Diana Balboa, who reflect on their experiences. Directed by Catherine Murphy, the film includes Spanish-language interviews with English subtitles and is narrated by Alice Walker.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet Norma Guillard, a pioneer of feminism in Cuba.
- Follow Diana Balboa, an advocate for LGBT rights.
- See the impact of the 1961 Cuban Literacy Campaign.
Did You Know
- In 1961, Cuba sent 250,000 volunteers to teach literacy.
- Over half of the 100,000 volunteers under 18 were women.
- Catherine Murphy began recording interviews in 2004 with women in their 60s.
- Maestra premiered in the U.S. in April 2011 with screenings in San Francisco.
- The film has won the Director's Choice Award at the Black Maria Film Festival.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the goal of the 1961 Cuban Literacy Campaign?
The goal was to eradicate illiteracy in Cuba within one year.
How many volunteers participated in the Cuban Literacy Campaign?
Approximately 250,000 volunteers participated in the campaign.
Who narrated the documentary Maestra?
The documentary is narrated by Pulitzer Prize–winning author Alice Walker.
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