The group Mujeres Libres (Free Women) was founded shortly before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War to focus on two goals: social revolution and improving the situation of women. In the three years of its existence, more than 20,000 members were organized in over 150 local groups; they published a magazine, conducted educational and training courses for women, organized aid work for frontline fighters, and established their own columns of female fighters. Although the Spanish Civil War has occupied many historians, the role of women is only marginally addressed. Vera Bianchi conducted research on-site at the Civil War archive in Salamanca and incorporated Spanish and American research into her study.