Marta Abreu

Doña Marta de los Ángeles González Abreu y Arencibia (13 November 1845 – 2 January 1909) was a Cuban philanthropist and one of the most influential figures of her time in central Cuba. She is recognized for her extensive charitable works in her hometown of Santa Clara, as well as her substantial financial contributions to the Cuban independence movement against Spanish colonial rule. Abreu is partly responsible for the creation of the Lone Star flag of the Republic of Cuba, referred to as the Narciso López flag. Being the single-largest financial supporter of the Mambises and the Mambí Army, Abreu was named the "Patroness of Cuba."

Early life and philanthropic works Born in Santa Clara, Cuba, Marta Abreu was the daughter of Don Pedro Abreu and Rosalía Arencibia, members of a wealthy and influential family, the Viscount of Los Remedios. Her father, Pedro Abreu, inherited and expanded a significant fortune.

When Marta was 29 years old, the family to moved to Havana, where Marta was educated in a privileged environment. from Matanzas, who was also a strong advocate of the Cuban independence cause. Their relationship blossomed, but because Estévez Romero was from a lower societal class, whose father died when he was young, Abreu's parents did not approve of the relationship. Asilo de Ancianos, old people's home. Asilo San Vicente de Paul, to house the poor and homeless. El Amparo (The Shelter), another shelter for poor people. El Gran Cervantes, school for black children. Buen Viaje school. San Pedro Nolasco school. Santa Rosalía school. Santa Clara weather station, which she donated with all the instruments and scientific material. Santa Clara firefighters' quarters. Santa Clara electrical power plant. Santa Clara train station. Villa Clara province gas plant. Three public laundry stations by the Bélico river.

Memorials Santa Clara's University was named after her. Bronze statue in Parque Vidal. A room is dedicated to her in Casa de la Ciudad house-museum and art gallery. In 1947 Cuba published four stamps celebrating the centenary of her birth.