Miraida Fernández Mora has been working in the distillery of the Antonio Guiteras sugar mill for many years, and since she has been the head of the Laboratory for a long time, she confirms to everyone the value of her commitment.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- She has become something like the historian of that site; with statistics processed up to 2017 and many more to be organized; she treasures a good part of the events that have marked a milestone there and others, more anonymous, but just as interesting over time.
It would be good if she found ways to socialize so much good work, an indispensable part of the lives of entire generations of local inhabitants.
From her, we learned that the distillery started in the 40s of the last century when the former Delicias sugar mill began its work and that, uninterruptedly, the year 1968 defines its beginning.
She also told us that Commander Che Guevara, on a visit there, suggested "starting this still" where she is now happy and about which knows the production plans inside out, the exact date of the equipment changes, and important events. She also preserves old photos and first names.
Miraida, who had never given an interview, was born in El Yarey, Vázquez; she started at the sugar mill as a chemist on duty in 1980 and works every day when there is production, no matter if it is Sunday, or if some misadventure is around her family.
She knows like a few others the magic of the entire production process, from the input of the raw material, energy consumption rates, final quality... everything; and she is sure that the laboratory is a fundamental part of the success of every detail.
She knows this because production depends on the analysis; from the culture with yeast to the finished product and the certification of sales, each element goes through her expertise.
She is "the oldest of all those who surround her there" and, listening to her, we intuit the value and dedication of her life.
While we talk, her eyes get wet, she talks about the splendor of yesteryear, the lack of inputs, and the thousand and one dilemmas so that the distillery does not stop in these years of deficiencies and challenges.
Like her, there are many women in Cuba, scattered among the enormous strength of the industries and their major noises, without fear and stridency.
