Leticia Valentina Cruz Loyola was not born in Camagüey, since it was her beautiful Mayajigua, in the Yaguajay municipality, in the province of Santi Spiritus; who welcomed her on February 14th, 1967. But her love for Camagüey and everything this land has taught her; it is colossal in her life.

She tells us with emotion about her origins, because we must return to them to meet that daring woman who today is the pride of the family, known coworkers.

“My parents: Máximo and Noraida, he, a worker in the transport sector until his death and my example of responsibility and discipline, she, a housewife and the family and neighbors seamstress, both affectionate, but at the same time demanding.

I remember my time as a student in primary school with great affection, full of responsibilities, participating in acts and patriotic marches, studies came first and I can say that I was a good student, becoming a pioneer vanguard in the province, at the end of my 6th grade, so I choose to spend my high school and pre-university years at the Ernesto Che Guevara Vocational School in Santa Clara. Then I got accepted in the Central University of Las Villas to study Agricultural Economics, graduating in 1990. I began my professional life and since then I have worked in two places: the San José de Los Lagos Motel where I worked as economic chief for 6 years and the Office of the Historian of Camagüey city, where I have worked for 23 years. ”

She also told us about how she got to Camagüey and precisely to the Historian’s Office.

“I met this beautiful city and its people, thanks to the magic of love, during my first year at the University of Las Villas, in 1985. I met a man from Camagüey, with whom I spent 13 years of my life and father of my greatest treasure: my son, with whom I live, he is my pride, he works and is a senior of the Heritage Management career.

On December 14th, 1997, my maternity leave had ended and thanks to a family friend I learned that they were requesting professionals to work in the Historian’s Office, which was in the process of being created. I went to the office that at that time was located in San Juan de Dios; I was interviewed and later accepted, on the condition that I start working to see if I liked it and on January 8th, 1998 I was officially hired. Apparently I did not only like it but I was delighted to this day. ”

Many are the challenges that Leticia has faced, throughout these years, within the institution; and she, as a woman of numbers, enunciates them to us in a very objective way:

• Take care of the debt collection of the contribution to the Office, without knowing the city, thanks to a lot of walking and visiting places, I can say that I know it.
• To face a totally new task such as managing the Office’s Audit and Control Department for 10 years.
• To run the Economy Department of the Office for 14 years, with all that comes with it and create a stable work team.

And among these challenges, of course, there are unforgettable moments…

“For example, one that made me understand that we were capable of doing great things for the city and its people, would be the reopening of Agramonte Park, I don’t know how to explain it, but that night, marked me in a pleasant way.”

For many women, her condition as a woman has been a brake or a stimulus for her professional life. How has it been for you?

“Honestly, I have never stopped to think about it, I am referring to the issue of gender, but in general I have never stopped to develop professionally; I am only clear about my duties and how useful I can be with my work.”

In a few words, what does the Office of the Historian of Camagüey city mean to you?

“It is the place where you allow yourself to dream and realize these dreams.”

If you had to change something, what would it be and why?

“I would not change anything; neither personally nor professionally. I believe that a hige part of who I am I owe it to the Office. I feel blessed of working alongside valuable people and learn from them every day; they make me a better person. ”

And because today is the day where women of all latitudes are paid tribute; her advice to new generations of professionals is the greatest gift.

“Please, whatever you are going to be or do, do it from the heart.”

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García