A Cuban woman recounts her experience as the first female driver of national buses in Cuba.

A 56-year-old Cuban woman is one of the two women on the island who drives one of the national transportation buses; however, she stands out for being the first to do this job, commonly dominated by men.

Idania Perea León is a native of the province of Artemisa and has 25 years of experience behind the wheel, whether in local transportation or now in national buses.

Like every woman, of course, one faces adverse and difficult situations. This is a job that requires a lot of professionalism and is usually only taken on by men, as there are doubts about our ability to do it," the woman said in an interview published by the official newspaper Granma.

For several years, she was the only woman breaking stereotypes in that profession. However, she comments that after seven years of being at the National Bus Company, another woman was recruited, and currently, there are two women carrying out that job.

"People look at you and are amazed, not everyone, but the vast majority praise you when they see you dressed in uniform, and that is very beautiful, to be admired in what you do," she stated.

Perea León expresses having experienced difficult situations in the profession, especially in a country marked by machismo, but confesses that "when you are a good professional and you do a good job, you must be respected and given the place you deserve among colleagues."

"It's a little difficult job, but it can be done. When you have many years of experience, it shows that it can be done," he said.

Regarding her family, the driver mentioned that she has their support. "My parents, who are unfortunately no longer with us, my sister, my husband; everyone has supported me in this work," she confessed.

Precisely, she said that her husband, with whom she has been married for 22 years, met her when she was a driver, and "he has always supported me."

During the past March 8th, International Women's Day, the Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac described Cuban women as "the nail on which we precariously hang," referring to the economic crisis that has plunged thousands of families into sadness.

"It is the handle and the flame, the home, the tears, the embrace. She is the blanket and the pillows, the only possible peace and the only haven, but she is and will be the spark and the necessary push," he expressed.