1952 - Josina Machel, Mozambican Freedom Fighter, is Born

On May 7, 1952, Josina Machel, one of Mozambique’s most revered anti-colonial activists, was born. From a young age, she was deeply involved in the struggle against Portuguese colonial rule. At just 18, she joined the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) and quickly rose through the ranks, leading efforts to organize women in the liberation movement. She became a symbol of the vital role that African women played in revolutionary warfare and nation-building. Despite facing constant threats, illness, and hardship, Machel tirelessly worked to set up schools, healthcare centers, and social programs for displaced women and children. Tragically, she died of illness at only 25 years old, but her legacy lived on. Josina Machel is honored every year in Mozambique on April 7 (National Women’s Day), but internationally, her life and contributions are far less recognized.