Madrid-Born Activist Finds Tenerife Home, Champions Fair Pensions

Elvira Olmo, born in Madrid, feels deeply connected to Tenerife after living there for 42 years. She's a prominent figure in the campaign for fair pensions.

"I've worked in various places, even in accounting at La Gaceta de Canarias, not as a journalist. I'm a chartered accountant, a qualification few in Spain and Europe hold. I've also managed a company with 150 employees and worked as a manager for an international firm."

"Yes, a lot. I've even clashed with managers defending employees, which caused issues. I reported these situations to management in Madrid, and they transferred the managers. Those employees later received good financial compensation. I've always supported people through tough times. Even while working, I supported the fight for decent pensions and women's rights."

"I retired at 65 in 2016, and I'm now 74. I was already following the pension movement while working, and after retiring, I naturally became more involved. My late colleague, Luis Serichol, a wonderful leader, greatly influenced me."

"I see myself primarily as a reporter who managed the social media for what started as a platform and is now an association. I also take photos, and we have 28,000 followers, which is quite good. Luis brought me into this, and here we are."

"They suggested I was ideal for walking from Rota to Madrid because I'm always on the go. When I heard about it, I said, 'I'm going.' I was the only woman from Tenerife, the only Canary Islander, and the only woman to complete the entire route without a single rest day, alongside four male companions. I walked 740 kilometers in total."

"Yes, I'm a bit sweaty now; I just came from the pool on Castillo Street. I walk a lot as I don't have a car and always take the bus from my home in Acorán, in the southwest of Santa Cruz. I've always enjoyed running, doing half marathons and such. During COVID, I used my house stairs for exercise, determined to climb the equivalent height of Mount Teide (3,715 meters) daily, which involved 500 climbs."

"Here, I refuse to participate," she says, showing her activist side. "I think it's abusive to charge runners between 30 euros if you sign up early and 42 euros, and then not even provide a banana. It feels like a mockery. I did sign up for the breast cancer race, the Carrera por la Vida, in Arona. I've participated for many years, taking public transport, running, and then returning to Santa Cruz."

"I believe we must fight and participate collectively. You can't just stay home watching TV. Take our Association for the Defense of Public Pensions of the Canary Islands, for example. I feel it's a gift to support causes we believe are just. The topic doesn't matter to us; we're not politicians, and everyone here is who they want to be. We don't interfere with that."

"Yes, absolutely. We are the most established group in the country, along with the collective from Catalonia. Two years ago, we secured a commitment from the Ministry of Social Welfare. Last month, the minister, Candelaria Delgado, confirmed that 250 euros would be given to everyone receiving non-contributory pensions, who currently get around 400 euros. We aim to bring them closer to at least the Interprofessional Minimum Wage (SMI). I told the minister we will continue to push. We've already submitted many signatures to the Canary Islands Government requesting they supplement these pensions, as other regions do. We believe there's funding available to help these people live with dignity. We estimate an additional 33 euros per month, which isn't a significant amount. Last time, we presented over 2,000 signatures to Parliament and continue to collect more."

"I have three children: Silva, Esther, and Tapeo (Secretary General of Asaga), and a 14-year-old grandson, Ian. I believe they also fight for what they believe in, looking out for everyone's well-being, not just their own. And they are wonderful."

"Of course. I don't fight for myself; I have a comfortable home and travel where I please. My life is established, and I built it myself. I have my health, apart from some vision issues, and a pension that allows me a good life. But I want the same for everyone else."