Georgina Herrera ¡Presente!

This article focuses on the life, work, and legacy of Georgina Herrera Cárdenas (1936–2021), an Afro-Cuban poet and cultural activist who resisted racial and social marginalization through her poetry and other literary forms. Rooted in her identity as a Black, poor woman and inspired by African heritage and cimarronaje (maroon resistance), Herrera challenged Eurocentric beauty standards and systemic racism in Cuba, while giving voice to Afrodescendant women's histories and experiences. Despite limited formal education and institutional recognition, she produced a significant body of poetry, radio theater, and film scripts that highlighted Afro-Cuban memory, spirituality, and social struggles. Herrera's work gained international attention through translations and anthologies, and she remained a committed advocate for racial and gender justice until her death from COVID-19 complications in 2021.