Enriqueta Reyes González
Enriqueta Reyes González (October 10, 1920-2008) was the first female firefighter in Cuba and greater Latin America.[1][2][3] She joined the Ranchuelo fire department in 1954.[1] Reyes González was promoted from treasurer to director to colonel.[3] Her nickname was “The Colonel.”[1]
Early Life
Reyes González was born in Camagüey.[1][3] She spent her childhood in a Christian community.[2] When she was seventeen Reyes González moved to Ranchuelo.[2] Her mother came with her.[2] Her mother was sick.[2] She only had five Pesos.[2] She had a recommendation for a cigarette factory job.[2] Later many of her neighbors' houses caught on fire.[2] She decided to raise money for a fire department.[1][3] In 1953 Reyes González hosted a fundraiser.[1][3] Her town finally built a fire department.[3]
Career
Reyes González was the first woman to become a firefighter in Cuba and greater Latin America.[1][2][3] She started as the treasurer.[2] Later she became a director.[2] Then she finally became the head firefighter.[2]
Personal Life
Reyes González had a daughter named María de los Ángeles González.[2] Her family supported her work.[2] Reyes González died in 2008 from a heart attack.[3] She was 88 years old.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 CUBAN PULSE. (2008, October 29). El Nuevo Herald: Web Edition Articles (Miami, FL) , 19. Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 Muere en cuba la primera bombera de america latina: GENTE. (2008, Oct 28). EFE News Service Retrieved from ProQuest.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Muere en Cuba la primera bombera de América Latina. (2008, Oct 28). La Nación Retrieved from ProQuest.