PODCAST TRANSCRIPT

Rubia: Hello everyone! My name is Rubia and today I’m here with my partner Leire. Welcome to our podcast. In this episode we are going to talk about one of the most memorable women in Galicia: Nené.

Leire: Leonor González Prieto, better known as Nené, was born in Vigo in 1933. She was a P.E. teacher at Calasancias’ School and also a librarian at Valle-Inclán. But she was especially known for being an activist, she was a feminist, but actually she didn’t know it. So, Rubia, tell us, what did she do?

Rubia: She was a teacher and she wanted everybody to feel that they were equal, she treated every kid the same.

Leire: She also fought for environmentalism, organizing protests and talking about the estuary’s situation. Like in 2006, when she gave the speech that marked the start of Fiestas de las Peregrinas. In that speech she talked about the terrible condition of the waters and how the cellulose factory destroyed the natural habitat of the fish and seafood there.

Rubia: Also, she talked about how awful it looks, with its nasty and stinky fumes polluting the air and its huge structure that spoils the landscape.

Leire: She was really interested in the town's problems. What about her family?

Rubia: When it comes to her personal life, she was very close to her dad, who was a fantastic athlete and a shot putter. By the way, a shot putter is an athlete who throws a 7 kg iron ball.

Leire: During his career he got 15 medals and he was known internationally. He inspired Nené to be a P.E. teacher because when her sisters and her were only kids, he instilled a great love for sports in them. But tell me, how did she get involved with the environment?

Rubia: She got interested in the environment because she moved to South America for some years and when she came back she found out that the cellulose factory was established next to the Pontevedra estuary. This upset her because that landscape was so important in her childhood.

Leire: Poor Nené. She fought a lot! This is why it is important to remember her. She was against the cellulose factory because of the pollution it causes to Pontevedra estuary. Nowadays, even though she's 88 years old, Nené keeps fighting for it.

Rubia: Such a wonderful woman! In fact, she was in Salvados, a Spanish TV program. There, she said that she will fight until she dies. At the end, Nené is happy, because the cellulose factory will close and that means that all her effort was enough to stop this big problem. Leire, do you think we have something in common with her?

Leire: Actually, yes. We both care about the environment and pollution. Obviously, not as much as her because one of her achievements was that she created the “Asociación pola defensa da ría” and we can’t reach such glorious success.

Rubia: Well, that was glorious but we are young so, maybe in the future we can reach something like that.

Leire: Yes, you’re right, Rubia. Wait, I’m sure the people who are listening to our podcast want to know more about her life here in Pontevedra. Is there some place that they can visit?

Rubia: Actually, yes. A Casa do Barón was her home, she used to live on the second floor with her family. It was where she grew up until she moved to South America, so it is very important to her because she lived here for her first 17 years.

Leire: The first floor was a school called Graduada Álvarez Limeses where Nené’s mum used to work as a teacher and also the headmaster. After that, it became a place to store salt… I think she may have very good memories about this place, it looks like an enchanted castle.

Rubia: It is a very beautiful building, it has secret passages and people tell many interesting stories about it. Nowadays, it is a hotel and you can spend a night in one of its luxurious rooms.

Leire: So, what’s your conclusion, Rubia? What do you think about her?

Rubia: After all that we just said, I think she is an example to follow.

Leire: That’s true, she is also a very powerful woman because she put up with a lot of criticism and threats.

Rubia: Yes… Poor Nené, she was very criticized. On the other hand, doesn’t she care about the employers? They will lose their jobs.

Leire: But we hope that they get a better job without damaging the environment.

Rubia: Yes

Leire: Well, this is all for today.

Rubia: I’m sure this podcast has entertained you and you have learned a lot about this marvelous woman.

Leire: See you in the next episode!

Rubia: Goodbye and thank you.