He Noble Hall of the Town Hall of La Orotava hosted this week an act of homage to Maria Caridad Oliva Monasteryknown as Cari, who at the age of 24, in the year 1982, became the first woman in the history of the town to access the body of the Local police. The event was scheduled for last year, also part of the celebration of International Women’s Day, but due to various circumstances it had to be suspended and it was included in this year’s 8M programming.
The act was presented by the journalist Patricia Hernandez and chaired by the mayor, Francisco Linareswho was accompanied by the Councilor for Social Welfare and Equality Policies, Belen Gonzalezand other members of the Municipal Corporation, of the body of the local police in La Orotavafriends and family of the honoree.
The trajectory, struggle and overcoming of Charity Monastery They valued themselves both on the spot and through the projection of a video with emotional words offered by their relatives and colleagues. When she joined the police she was a widowed mother of two young daughters. And then she rediscovered her love with her coworker Jose Luis Valdivieso, fruit of which his third daughter was born. In 2007, she celebrated 25 years in the body of the Local Police of La Orotava, and the City Council presented him with a diploma in which his work was recognized. Twelve years later, in 2019, and after more than 37 years of practicing his profession, he retired.
Caridad retired in 2019, after 37 years of professional practice in the municipality
His sister, the comedian and presenter Regina Monastery, affirms that “he is a clear example of overcoming” and that his figure “marked a before and after in the fight for equality” in La Orotava. In his opinion, it is a well-deserved tribute for his courage and for the multiple values that he has shown in all areas, overcoming any barrier.
His daughter Loretoalso a local police officer, says that her mother has always been “a reference point”, both for her and for her two sisters, and she remembers, when she was a girl, the entire preparation process she went through to enter the police force. Local police from La Orotava. «He trained in the old Botanical where there was a dirt running track, there he went to run and lift weights every day», and they also listened to the songs recorded with his voice over and over again «so he could study while he was with us».
Raphael Hernandez, a former colleague of Cari Monasterio’s, defines her as a “pioneering, brave, daring and advanced woman”, and recalls that at first it was difficult for her, since it was not normal “and all eyes were on her”. . For this reason, she herself described her beginnings as “bittersweet.” For the villero government, «Caridad is an example of a woman who has surpassed herself day by day, and she is capable of anything. Her work has contributed to giving visibility to women in this profession ».
Linares and Belen Gonzalez they assured that Charity Monastery She is “an example for many women, a benchmark as a fighting and groundbreaking woman.” For Linares, “being a policewoman 40 years ago was almost impossible, and you did it by fighting all the obstacles. For this, and for your tenacity, loyalty and constant improvement, you receive this emotional and well-deserved tribute.”
