Sancti Spíritus Power Line Worker: "I want to be an example for other women"

María Isabel Rodríguez Benítez is a Cuban woman who not only defies 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 take me as an example," expressed the 35-year-old woman and mother of a 13-year-old teenager to the Radio Sancti Spíritus station.

Rodríguez stated that being a woman does not prevent her from working as a lineman, demonstrating it daily: "It is not necessary to have so much physical strength, but skill to be able to do it and that comes from practice; working with the spurs, the ladder, and the protective equipment. Yes, it is tiring and fatiguing, but it is done, the height has not been a problem for me, I go confidently knowing I am prepared, it can be achieved and so far I have been able to do it."

The young woman emphasized that she wants to be an example: "I would like men to also see that we women can move forward and fulfill the task. It would be nice if this could be an example for those people who have always wanted to do something in life."

Rodríguez's dreams are not timid: "I would like to join a strong work team, full of activity, to learn more about the field. School is one thing, work is another. I would like to fulfill everything that is possible for me, on par with any man."

Finally, the young woman made it clear that she wants to be a source of inspiration: "I urge women to make their profession. Let it be seen as an example that it is possible. Face challenges and move forward. We all can."

Rodríguez joined the Training and Supervision Course for Energy Control some time ago, and from the first day, she was fascinated by the practices of the group that was being formed as a Grade 4 lineman team.

Despite the initial difficulties due to the difference in physical preparation compared to men, her effort and determination led her to overcome these challenges and perform well in this very demanding specialty.

Recently, the state-run newspaper Granma published the story of a 56-year-old Cuban woman, who is one of the two women on the island who drives one of the national transportation buses, highlighting that she was the first to take on this job, commonly dominated by men.

Idania Perea León is a native of Artemisa province and has been driving for 25 years, 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 is doubt about our ability to do it,” said the woman in an interview published by the official newspaper.

Last 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 Dental Medicine (HSDM) and dedicated that achievement to her parents.

In the opinion of the recent graduate, those who have made a great sacrifice for her to emerge victorious in the United States have been her parents, who gave up their professional careers and emigrated to give her the opportunity to have a better future.

"My mother went from being a director of a laboratory in a hospital to cleaning bathrooms as a housekeeper. My father, who has a Master's degree in Chemistry, works in a warehouse. It was difficult for them to learn a new language and they still struggle every day to communicate," Layra expressed.