Fleeing the Castro regime: A local woman’s journey

Ida Zinam grew up the daughter of a produce seller in Louisville. An affinity for the Spanish language led her on a journey that would end with a hurried escape from Cuba and regime of Fidel Castro.

The death of Castro has been celebrated and mourned since Saturday when news left Cuba that the 90-year-old had passed away.

“This man who caused so much suffering and took everything away from families is gone, just the fact that he’s gone and passed away is worth celebrating,” Zinam said, but also is convinced nothing will change.

For Zinam, news from Cuba is personal. She lived on the island and raised a family there for 15 years, a pivotal 15 years that saw Castro rise to power.

Ida Zinam, one of our residents at The Kenwood by Senior Star, was recently featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer. Read more about her journey here.