“More than teachers, we are teacher workers.” These words encapsulate the spirit of Rosa María Casariego. Today we stand at the Homenaje a Rosa María Casariego y Juana Alfonsina Burga. It is a place to remember two remarkable women.
Rosa María Casariego was born on April 21 1948 in Tigre. She was known as “Chachi”. Rosa María was a teacher. She taught at the Colegio Santa María de San Isidro. The Unión de Educadores de Tigre honored her. This happened on March 24 2007.
People remembered Rosa María’s radiant personality. They said she was so beautiful that people turned to look at her. Her home was a gathering place. Friends of her brother came to study and see her. These gatherings involved guitar playing and dancing. Rosa María chose to teach in poor schools. She believed teachers were more than just educators. They were workers committed to their students. She worried about students who came to school hungry or without proper clothing. Rosa María dedicated her free time to union activities. She also worked on the Adult Literacy Plan of DINEA.
Rosa María married her cousin. Later she married Luis Alberto Cabrera. He was a naval worker. Both were union activists within the Peronismo Auténtico. They also were part of the Juventud Trabajadora Peronista. On February 3 1976 Rosa María was kidnapped in Tigre. Her body was found 48 hours later. It was in a field in Moreno. She had been brutally tortured. Her funeral was a large display of love and respect.
Luis Alberto Cabrera was known as “Huesito”. He was a naval worker. He was kidnapped on February 3 1976. His body was found two days later. It was with Rosa María Casariego and Héctor Oscar Echeverría. They were killed in Moreno. All three were victims of the Triple A. In February 2017 a memorial tile was placed in their neighborhood. It was in Rincón de Milberg, Tigre.
Alfonsina Juana Burga was also a teacher. She was born on July 2 1948 in Tigre. She was kidnapped on July 1 1976 in San Fernando. She was murdered the same day. Alfonsina’s body remained unidentified. It was until 1998. She had a passion for writing. She saw herself as an integral educator. Alfonsina studied at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. She was married to Eduardo Mario Pérez. He was a graphic worker and political prisoner.
In 2001, the city of Tigre honored Rosa María Casariego and Alfonsina Juana Burga. They renamed streets in General Pacheco after them. A sculpture and plaques were also unveiled. The ES N° 14 of General Pacheco was renamed “Rosa María Casariego” in 2008. This Homenaje a Rosa María Casariego y Juana Alfonsina Burga reminds us of their dedication. It also reminds us of their ultimate sacrifice. They fought for democracy and a better country. Let us remember their courage. Let us honor their memory by continuing to fight for justice and peace.