A symbol of overcoming adversity, resilience and commitment to freedom and human rights, she will receive the title of "Comendadora" on 8 February.
The mayor of Lalín, José Crespo, has announced Irene Villa González as "Comendadora" of the 58th Feira do Cocido. She will join the Order with a commitment to promote, protect and support the Feira do Cocido and the dish Cocido de Lalín. Crespo highlighted Villa as ‘a symbol of overcoming adversity, resilience and commitment to freedom and human rights’.
Irene Villa (Madrid, 1978) is a journalist, writer, psychologist and lecturer. At the age of 12, she survived the ETA attack on 17 October 1991. As a result, Irene lost both legs and three fingers on one hand, and her mother was also injured, having one leg and one arm amputated.
Far from letting herself be defeated by the trauma, Irene became an active voice for peace, tolerance and hope. With a degree in Audiovisual Communication from the European University of Madrid CENES, a degree in Psychology from the Complutense University and a degree in Humanities from the UEM-CENES, she worked in various media outlets and published several books, including ‘Saber que se puede’, ‘Nunca es demasiado tarde, princesa’ and ‘Como el sol para las flores’. Her inspiring story led her to give lectures around the world, defending values such as forgiveness, gratitude and trust.
In 2006, she participated for the first time in a national Paralympic sports championship, where she won the title of runner-up in Spain. In 2007, she joined the first women's chair skiing team in the Foundation's Adaptive Alpine Skiing competition team. In 2010, she won two gold medals in the Catalonia championships, two silver medals and two bronze medals in the French championships, and two silver medals in the Spanish championships.
In 2015, she created the Irene Villa Foundation, which focuses on the integration of people with disabilities into the workplace and social assistance. She currently collaborates with various organisations that work for the inclusion and rights of people with disabilities.
Among her numerous awards and honours, she was nominated for the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord (1992), the Joya de Madrid Awards 2001 as an example of peace and coexistence, the Colegio Mayor San Pablo National Award for Educational Values 2002, the Isabel Ferrer Award 2007, the Silver Microphone for her book "Saber que se puede", the Grand Cross for Humanitarian Merit, the Miguel Ángel Blanco Foundation Award for Coexistence 2008, the Civic Courage Award from the International Observatory for Victims of Terrorism, and the Antena de Oro 2012. In 2013, she was chosen as one of the Top 100 Women Leaders.
Her life story is an example of how to transform pain into strength and how adversity can be the starting point for building a life full of meaning, hope and service to others.
Irene Villa has been confirmed as the second commander of the 58th Feira do Cocido on 8 February 2026, after Diego González Rivas, in his dual role as "pregoeiro" and "comendador".
