Mrs. Walker received the decoration from the Cuban Culture Minister Alpidio Alonso, in recognition of her support and deepening of her country’s relations with Cuba based on brotherhood and solidarity, of merits achieved as a result of his literary work in which she has been addressing racial and gender inequality issues, and also of her permanent claim to the lifting of the cruel and unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. Government on Cuba.

The Haydeé Santamaría medal is being awarded to citizens and groups from Cuba and other countries who, with a useful life and a high quality intellectual work over the years, have contributed to the objectives Casa de las Américas aspires to, enrichment of the genuine culture of our America and its integration through cultural channels.

The U.S. writer, on the other hand, expressed her gratitude for the decoration, the works of art presented to her, and the welcoming she once again received from the Cuban people and government during her visit to Cuba.

She praised Cuba’s firmness ahead of adversities and the impact of the hostile US blockade, and also recalled Haydeé Santamaría’s influence on Cuban history and culture, as well as the revolutionary legacy of her brother Abel Santamaría, one of the historic assailants of the Moncada Barracks.

pll/mem/dla