User:Editorcasti4/Enriqueta Reyes González



Enriqueta Reyes González (1920-2008) was the first female firefighter in Cuba and greater Latin America.1,2,3 In 1953 Reyes González hosted a fundraiser to assist the fire department.1,3 A year later she joined the Ranchuelo fire department.1 Reyes González was promoted from treasurer to director to colonel.3 Reyes González also holds a Guinness world record.2

Early Life

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Reyes González was born in Camagüey.2,3 She spent her childhood in a Christian community.2 When she was 17 Reyes González moved to Ranchuelo.2 Her sick mother came with her.2 She only had five Pesos.2 She had a recommendation for a cigarette factory job.2 Later Seven of her neighbors' houses caught on fire.2 She decided to raise money.1,3 The money she raised went to getting a fire department.3 Her town finally built a fire department.3

Career

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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 started directing.2 Then she finally became the head firefighter.2

Personal Life

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Reyes González had a daughter named María de los Ángeles González.2 Her daughter said “I was 12 and 13 years old and I remember that the whole family would go to see her every time there was a fire and she had to direct the firefighters,”.2 Reyes González died in 2008 from a heart attack.3


References

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