Embracing My Cuban Heritage and a Call to Action

Sept. 10, 2023 — Marla Fernandez

In 1961, my grandparents and parents embarked on a journey that would forever shape the course of our family’s history. Fleeing the oppressive regime of Fidel Castro, they sought refuge in the pursuit of cherished ideals: liberty and freedom. My grandparents boarded a plane to Barcelona, Spain, and my mother embarked on a flight to Mexico. It was a separation that lasted six long months, the time it took to navigate the bureaucratic maze required to enter the USA.

There are moments in life when you encounter people who inspire you to stand alongside them. Often, these moments are marked by pain, sacrifice, and unwavering determination.

My grandparents left behind everything they had known—their home, their savings, their precious artwork, their dear friends, and even their family. My grandmother was a talented seamstress, and my grandfather was a skilled carpenter. As for my mother, she was just fifteen years old.

I vividly recall her words as she shared her experiences with me: “Batista was a dictator,” she would say. “You could make a living, but expressing political dissent was a risk not worth taking.”

They embarked on a journey to a new city and a new country, a place where they had no established network. They faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from scratch—securing work, finding a new home, and starting anew.

But why did they endure all of this hardship?

So that their future grandchildren could find themselves facing similar challenges fifty years later?

Their lesson to me is clear: Freedom is fragile. Obstacles and adversity will always be present, but the flame of liberty may flicker or even fade away. When you encounter the conditions that allow liberty to flourish, hold on tight. It’s never about the material wealth; it’s the opportunity that freedom represents.

Today, I am starting a business, but my passion for preserving and protecting freedom remains unwavering. While Meg Froelich currently occupies the seat for House District 3, my commitment to these cherished values endures. As we approach November, I hope you will cast your vote in my favor and hold me in your thoughts and prayers. Your support, whether through a donation or volunteering, can make a meaningful difference in our journey to safeguard the liberties we hold dear.

Warm regards,

Marla F. Fernandez