Domitila García Doménico

Journalist and typographer, from Camagüey, she created the Academy of Typographers and Bookbinders, unique in Cuba at that time. First woman to work as a typographer and to become involved in journalism.

She founded the weekly magazine "El Céfilo", 1866; founder of three weekly publications "El Eco de Cuba", 1869; "El Correo de las Damas", 1875; "La Crónica Habanera" (1895-1897). In 1882 she founded the Colegio Nuestra Señora de los Angeles for poor children and some time later an Academy of Typographers and Bookbinders, the first of its kind in Cuba. Her contributions appeared in the most important newspapers of her time, writing in favor of the cause of Free Cuba.

Born in Puerto Príncipe, she completed her primary education studies at home. In 1859 she settled in Manzanillo with her family.

From an early age she knew the suffering of those who proclaimed themselves in favor of freedom; her father suffered persecution and had to take refuge in Havana. Years later, in 1859 she established herself in Manzanillo with a printing press of her own, with the purpose of publishing the newspaper La Antorcha. It was there that Domitila began her work in journalism and typography.

She is thus considered the first Cuban woman who worked daily in a printing press, exercising the profession of typographer, and in a newspaper.

In 1865, La Antorcha moved to Camagüey. A year later, in 1866 she founded in Puerto Príncipe the magazine El Céfiro, together with Sofía Estévez y Valdés, which was well received throughout the Island, for its representative social character and for being the first newspaper edited by two young women who had barely crossed the threshold of life.

Later she moved to Havana founding three weekly publications: El Eco de Cuba, 1869; El Correo de las damas, 1875 and La Crónica Habanera, 1875 – 1897. In 1872 she married Professor Nicolás Coronado Piloña, a language teacher, without abandoning her journalistic work, contributing to Cuban and foreign newspapers and magazines.

In 1882 she established the Colegio de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, intended for poor children, and founded around this time the Academy of Typographers and Bookbinders, the first of its kind in Cuba.

Her work, both as a journalist, writer and educator, was prolific and energetic. A woman of firm character and will, Domitila was a tireless fighter for women, education, teaching and culture.

She was secretary of the Patriotic Board of Havana and to her efforts is owed the gilded bronze crown that was placed on the statue of Mayor Ignacio Agramonte, in the park that bears his name in this city. She was Delegate of Honor to the I National Congress of Women, held in Havana in 1923, together with María Luisa Dolz.

Until the last days of her long life, she devoted herself to journalism. She died at the age of 90 and left this wish:
"...When my compatriots set foot on the earth that covers my remains, may they say with emotion: She dignified women in general and erected pedestals to Cuban women who lay forgotten..."

Her hands printed the first proclamations in which Carlos Manuel de Céspedes addressed his compatriots, urging them to claim with arms the rights of the Cuban people that the Spanish government usurped from them. She later became a teacher. She possessed vast knowledge acquired through reading and research.