"Perón Delivers, Evita Dignifies: The Legacy of Social Justice and Dignity in Argentina"

Today, I want to talk about Evita, but to understand her relevance and the meaning behind the phrase "Perón delivers, Evita dignifies," it is essential to begin with a personal story that reflects how leaders like Perón and Evita interpreted the Argentine people in a way that remains unmatched. My grandmother, Sara Angelica Tagliabue, daughter of Italian immigrants, was crowned in 1946 as the first Reina del Trabajo (Queen of Labor), a title she earned not for her beauty but for her relentless dedication and effort. She excelled as an employee at the Casa de la Moneda (Mint), and her commitment was recognized by Perón himself, who awarded her a medallion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an item we still keep in the family as a symbol of that recognition.

Like many Argentines, my grandmother understood what dignity meant. Everything she had—and it wasn’t much—she had earned through hard work. She didn’t own her own house until she was older, but she always made it clear that the most valuable thing she could pass on to her family was a sense of dignity, forged through labor and sacrifice. I remember, as a child living with my parents in Patagonia, how she never failed to send us monthly packages. My brother and I would eagerly await the toys inside, but she also sent food and clothing—essentials that made life more manageable in those times.

My grandmother taught us dignity, and in the same way, Evita gave dignity to the Argentine people. Evita didn’t just hand out gifts; more importantly, she provided the tools for people to live with their heads held high. Like my grandmother, Evita didn’t see charity as merely giving things away but as a means of lifting up the most humble, offering them the opportunity to grow with pride. Evita dignified the people, not just through material gestures, but by building a legacy of social justice that transcended her time.

With this family story as a starting point, we can better understand the depth of the phrase "Perón delivers, Evita dignifies." Perón fulfilled his promise by generating rights and reforms for the people, but it was Evita who gave them dignity, embodying that change and making it tangible in the lives of the most humble. Together, they created a movement that still lives on in the memory and hearts of Argentines today.

Juan Domingo Perón began his political rise in a period of deep political and social instability in Argentina. The country, after years of fragile democratic governments and military coups, experienced yet another coup in 1943 that overthrew the civilian government. In this context, a group emerged within the military known as the Grupo de Oficiales Unidos (Group of United Officers or GOU), which promoted nationalist and reformist ideas. One of the most prominent members of this group was Juan Domingo Perón, who quickly rose through the ranks of power, initially serving as Secretary of Social Welfare and Labor.

From this position, Perón dedicated himself to improving the working conditions of laborers, who, until then, had been excluded from the social welfare system. His reforms included limiting the workday, implementing paid holidays, and creating labor rights that had not previously existed in Argentina. These policies not only improved the lives of urban and rural workers but also made Perón a popular figure among the working masses, who saw in him a defender of their rights.

As Perón consolidated his power, sectors of the military and political elite saw him as a threat, leading to his arrest in 1945 and his confinement on Martín García Island. However, this sparked an unprecedented response: a massive mobilization of workers and unions demanding his release. On October 17, 1945, thousands of workers gathered in Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, in what became known as "Loyalty Day," marking the birth of the Peronist movement. Perón was freed and, a few months later, ran for president, winning overwhelmingly in the February 1946 elections.

Perón's government was a period of profound transformation in Argentina. Under his leadership, key sectors of the economy were nationalized, including the railroads and gas industry, and industrialization policies were implemented to reduce the country’s dependence on imports. These measures were fundamental in creating jobs and driving economic growth, especially in industrial areas. However, while Perón was the architect of these policies, it was his wife, Eva Duarte, known as Evita, who became the emotional and visible face of his government, adding a unique dimension that remains unmatched to this day.

Eva Duarte, born in Los Toldos in 1919, came from a humble background and experienced firsthand the challenges of being part of a family that was not legally recognized. Her father, married to another woman, left Eva, her mother, and her siblings in a precarious situation after his death, forcing the entire family to work from an early age to survive. At 15, Eva moved to Buenos Aires with the dream of becoming an actress. In a deeply elitist and prejudiced environment, Eva managed to make a name for herself in radio and theater, despite the criticisms she faced for her origins and for being a woman in a society that often looked down on female performers.

In 1944, during a charity event organized after a devastating earthquake in San Juan, Eva met Juan Domingo Perón, who already held a significant position in the military government. Their connection was immediate, and soon after, they began a relationship that culminated in marriage in 1945. From that moment on, Eva not only became Perón’s wife but also his partner in the political struggle and a key figure in his project. Eva embodied the ideal of social justice and the dignity of the most disadvantaged sectors that Perón sought to promote through his government.

Eva stood out for her empathy and ability to connect with Argentina’s poorest sectors, the "descamisados" (shirtless ones). She not only publicly defended them but also made it her personal mission to improve their living conditions. Through the Fundación Eva Perón (Eva Perón Foundation), created during Perón’s first term, Eva implemented a vast social assistance network that reached millions of people across the country. From hospitals to housing and schools, the foundation provided resources and relief to those most in need, and Evita ensured that every act of giving was carried out with respect and dignity.

Evita didn’t just offer material aid; she also symbolized the dignity of the humble. She provided wedding dresses to young women with limited means, gave mattresses to families sleeping on the floor, and organized vacation programs for workers. With every gesture, Eva reinforced the idea that the poorest not only deserved help but had the right to live with dignity and pride. In this sense, the phrase "Perón delivers, Evita dignifies" perfectly reflected the balance of power between the two: while Perón established the reforms and laws, Evita humanized and personalized those changes, ensuring that the people felt they had a place in history.

Beyond her social work, Eva was a fervent advocate for women’s rights. In 1947, thanks to her tireless efforts, women’s suffrage was achieved in Argentina, granting women the right to vote and marking a milestone in the country’s history. Evita understood that the fight for social justice had to include gender equality, and her activism was key in allowing Argentine women to take an active political role.

However, her influence was not without controversy. Coming from a humble background and with a history in the arts, Eva was the target of criticism from Argentina’s elite, who did not accept her rapid rise or her central role in the government. Despite this, Eva persisted, earning the respect and love of millions of Argentines who saw her as the defender of the downtrodden. Her charisma, ability to empathize with the poor, and unwavering dedication to the Peronist cause turned her into an icon of social justice in Argentina and throughout Latin America.

When it was proposed in 1951 that Eva run for vice president, the people cheered her on. However, a uterine cancer that had already significantly weakened her forced her to renounce the candidacy. In an act of great sacrifice, known as "the renouncement," Eva announced that she could not accept the role due to her failing health. Despite her physical decline, she remained committed to the people until her last breath, delivering emotional speeches that moved the entire country.

Eva Perón passed away on July 26, 1952, at the age of 33, leaving a huge void in the political and emotional life of Argentina. Her death not only marked the end of an era but also cemented her as a myth that transcends time. She was given a state funeral that brought the country to a standstill, with millions of people gathering to pay their respects. Her embalmed body was displayed at the headquarters of the CGT (General Confederation of Labor), where the people could say their goodbyes, while her legacy of social justice and dignity for the people continued to live on in the memory of all Argentines.

Over the years, the myth of Eva Perón has been sustained by her image, her fight for the rights of the most humble, and her tragic story. Despite attempts to erase her legacy and that of Perón after the military coup of 1955, Peronism survived, and Evita continued to be remembered as the mother of the descamisados. Her figure has been immortalized in films, musicals, and books, and to this day, she remains an emblem of social justice and dignity for the most vulnerable.

The phrase "Perón delivers, Evita dignifies" is not just an empty slogan but a true reflection of the profound impact both had on Argentina’s history. While Perón built the structures of power and enacted the necessary reforms.