Maria De Los Reyes Castillo Bueno

About the Author

Maria De Los Reyes Castillo Bueno, affectionately known as Reyita, was a resilient Black Cuban woman whose life spanned the turbulent twentieth century, marked by the legacies of slavery, colonialism, and revolutionary change. Born in 1902 in a rural Cuban province, she endured profound hardships including poverty, racial discrimination, and the loss of loved ones, yet her spirit remained unbroken as she raised twelve children while working as a laundress and domestic servant. In her later years, encouraged by her daughter, Reyita dictated her extraordinary oral history, offering an intimate glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of Afro-Cuban women. Her narrative, rich with vivid memories and unyielding hope, stands as a powerful testament to survival and cultural heritage, illuminating the often-overlooked voices of Cuba's marginalized communities.