Marta Abreu (Marta Abreu y Arencibia de Estévez, 1846-1909)

Philanthropist.  Born in Santa Clara to a very wealthy family, she believed that great wealth implied a duty and should be used for social welfare.  She paid for the construction of a large theater in Santa Clara and donated it to the city so that the income would support schools and facilities for the poor.  She not only spent her money on the poor, but also gave it away as a patriot during the Wars of Independence.  She died in Paris.  The Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas in her native city was later named in her remembrance.