María Isabel Rodríguez Benítez is a Cuban who not only challenges social prejudices but is also making history in the province of Sancti Spíritus: she is about to become the only woman working as a group 4 lineman at the Training School for this specialty.
"I would like many women to see me as an example," said the 35-year-old woman and mother of a 13-year-old girl in an interview with Radio Sancti Spíritus.
Rodríguez stated that being a woman does not prevent her from working as a lineman, demonstrating this every day: "It's not necessary to have a lot of physical strength, but rather skill to be able to do it, and that comes with practice; working with spurs, the ladder, and protection equipment. Yes, it can be tiring, but it’s manageable. The height hasn’t been an issue for me; I am confident in my training, it is achievable, and so far, I have succeeded."
The young woman emphasized that she wants to be an example: "I would like men to see that we women can succeed and accomplish our goals. It would be nice if this served as an example for those who have always wanted to do something in life."
Rodríguez's dreams are bold: “I would like to join a strong, dynamic work brigade so I can learn more about the trade. School is one thing, and work is another. I want to accomplish everything I can, alongside any man.”
Finally, the young woman made it clear that she wants to be a source of inspiration: “I urge women to pursue their careers. Let it be seen as an example that it is possible. Face challenges and move forward. We can all do it.”
Rodríguez joined the Energy Control Training and Supervision Course some time ago, and from day one, she was captivated by the practices of the group that was being formed as lineman group 4.
Despite the initial challenges due to the differences in physical conditioning compared to men, her effort and determination allowed her to overcome these obstacles and excel in this highly demanding field.
Recently, the official newspaper Granma published the story of a 56-year-old Cuban woman, who is one of only two women on the island driving a national transportation bus. It highlighted that she was the first to take on this role, which is typically dominated by men.
Idania Perea León is from the province of Artemisa and has 25 years of driving experience, whether in local transportation or, as she does now, in national buses.
“As with every woman, of course, one faces challenging and adverse situations. This is a job that requires a high level of professionalism and is often only undertaken by men, as there is doubt about our capability to do it,” said the woman in an interview published by the state-run newspaper.
In June, another Cuban woman proudly represented her gender and nationality.
Layra de la Caridad Valdés Ramírez, a young woman born in Havana, graduated from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) and dedicated this achievement to her parents.
In the opinion of the recent graduate, those who have made great sacrifices for her to succeed in the United States are her parents, who gave up their professional careers and emigrated to provide her with the opportunity for a better future.
"My mother went from being the director of a laboratory in a hospital to cleaning bathrooms as a housekeeper. My father, who has a Master's degree in Chemistry, is working in a warehouse. It was difficult for them to learn a new language, and they still struggle every day to communicate," Layra expressed.
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