This initiative aims to make visible the stories of these women, many of whom were victims of guilt by association, for being the partner, mother, or daughter of persecuted men. The exhibition gives faces and names to these victims, recovering their memory in a context where movements that exalt Francoism are resurfacing strongly.
If we read their stories, we realize the excessive cruelty that first the regime and then oblivion, have inflicted upon these women.
Unlike other better-known cases, such as that of «The 13 Roses», this exhibition highlights the importance of applying a gender perspective to historical memory, as the repression against women has often been less documented. Many of them were executed even when the death sentences of their male companions were commuted, being considered dangerous for their potential to be an example to follow.
Personal objects such as a thimble or a high-heeled shoe, found in the mass graves, contextualize these stories and humanize the victims, transforming a mere name into a life with a past. The exhibition is an essential reminder of the need not to forget what happened and to keep the memory of the victims alive.
