Mariana Grajales Women's Platoon

The Mariana Grajales Women's Platoon (Spanish: El pelotón Mariana Grajales), or Las Marianas, was an all-female military platoon created by Fidel Castro, Celia Sánchez, and Haydée Santamaría during the 26th of July Movement on 4 September 1958, named after the Cuban icon Mariana Grajales who served in the Cuban War of Independence.[3][4][5]

Mariana Grajales Women’s Platoon
El pelotón Mariana Grajales
Active4 September 1958 - 1 January 1959
Disbanded1 January 1959
CountryCuba
Allegiance26th of July Movement
Size13 or 14
Nickname(s)Las Marianas
EngagementsBattle of Cerro Pelado, Battle of Guisa[1][2]
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Isabel Rielo, Teté Puebla

History

After a group of women led by Isabel Rielo pleaded with Fidel Castro to create a women's unit, Castro summoned the leaders of the rebel army for a debate on 3 September 1958. After seven hours of discussion, at about 1 a.m. Castro authorized the creation of the platoon.[6] Isabel Rielo was selected to lead the platoon as the result of a shooting test.[7]

It is estimated by several accounts that women only made up about 5% of the total rebel forces during the Cuban Revolution.[8][9] So the Mariana Grajales Platoon, which was composed of 13 young women, was a unique component of the revolutionary army.[10][11] The platoon was essential in the rebels' 28 September 1958 victory over the Batista forces at Cerro Pelado (near modern-day Bartolomé Masó) after a three-day battle.[11]

Members of the platoon used M-1 carbines as their weapon of choice.[12]

Following victory in January 1959, the members of the platoon worked to build schools in the mountainous portion of eastern Cuba.[13]

On 4 September 1988, the 30th anniversary of the founding of the platoon, a commemorative event was held at the headquarters of the Women's Anti-Air Artillery Regiment.[14] In attendance were Vilma Espín, president of the Federation of Cuban Women, Nguyễn Thị Định, then-Vice President of Vietnam and member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Corps General Julio Casas Regueiro of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Members
  • Haydée Santamaría [15][16]
  • Isabel Rielo Rodríguez (commanding officer)
  • Teté Puebla (second-in-command)
  • Olga Guevara Pérez
  • Eva Palma Rodríguez
  • Lilia Rielo Rodríguez
  • Rita García Reyes
  • Angelina Antolín Escalona
  • Edemis Tamayo Núñez
  • Norma Ferrer Benítez
  • Flor Pérez Chávez
  • Juana Peña Peña
  • Orosia Soto Sardiña
  • Ada Bella Acosta Pompa[17]

See also

References
  1. Noticias, Agencia Cubana de. "Batalla de Guisa, victoria esencial del Ejército Rebelde". Agencia Cubana de Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  2. "The Militant - April 20, 2004 -- How Rebel Army took the town of Guisa". www.themilitant.com. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  3. "Women in Cuba: The Revolution Within The Revolution". NADJA. 2016-12-05. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  4. THOMAS-WOODARD, TIFFANY A. (2003). ""Towards the Gates of Eternity": Celia Sánchez Manduley and the Creation of Cuba's New Woman". Cuban Studies. 34: 154–180. ISSN 0361-4441.
  5. "Las Marianas, un pelotón de valerosas mujeres". www.artemisaradioweb.icrt.cu. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  6. "Revelaciones sobre Las Marianas". www.juventudrebelde.cu (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  7. "Las Marianas de la Sierra". www.granma.cu. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  8. Volo, Lorraine Bayard de (2018-02-01). Women and the Cuban Insurrection: How Gender Shaped Castro's Victory. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-316-83609-5.
  9. The Guerrilla and how to Fight Him. U.S. Marine Corps. 1962.
  10. Reif, Linda L. (1986). "Women in Latin American Guerrilla Movements: A Comparative Perspective". Comparative Politics. 18 (2): 147–169. doi:10.2307/421841. ISSN 0010-4159.
  11. Haney, Richard (2005). Celia Sánchez: The Legend of Cuba's Revolutionary Heart. Algora Publishing. ISBN 978-0-87586-397-9.
  12. Diamond, Marie Josephine (2013-06-29). Women and Revolution: Global Expressions. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-94-015-9072-3.
  13. Randall, Margaret (2015-09-02). Haydée Santamaría, Cuban Revolutionary: She Led by Transgression. Duke University Press. ISBN 978-0-8223-7527-2.
  14. Program, Voice of America-Radio Marti; Policy, Office of Research and; Agency, United States Information (1991-01-01). Cuba 1988. Transaction Publishers. ISBN 978-0-88738-420-2.
  15. Samuel Farber (13 December 2011). Cuba Since the Revolution of 1959: A Critical Assessment. Haymarket Books. pp. 190–. ISBN 978-1-60846-166-0.
  16. "4 Cuban Revolutionaries Who Fought For Their Country, Women's Rights & A Better World". NADJA. 2016-08-02. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  17. Toro, Roberto Ortiz del. "Las Marianas: symbol of the courage and value of Cuban women". www.radioangulo.cu. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  18. Jones, Meg. "Dickey Chapelle covered Castro, Cuban revolution". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2020-05-13.

Further reading
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