Mariana Grajales Women's Platoon Explained

Unit Name:Mariana Grajales Women’s Platoon
Native Name:Spanish; Castilian: El pelotón Mariana Grajales
Dates:4 September 1958 - 1 January 1959
Disbanded:1 January 1959
Country:Cuba
Allegiance:26th of July Movement
Size:13 or 14
Nickname:Spanish; Castilian: Las Marianas
Battles:Battle of Cerro Pelado, Battle of Guisa[1] [2]
Notable Commanders:Isabel Rielo, Teté Puebla

The Mariana Grajales Women's Platoon (es|El pelotón Mariana Grajales), or Spanish; Castilian: 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 Cuello who served in the Cuban War of Independence.[3] [4] [5]

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 1a.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.

Members of the platoon used M1 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

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Batalla de Guisa, victoria esencial del Ejército Rebelde. Noticias. Agencia Cubana de. Agencia Cubana de Noticias. es-es. 2020-05-14.
  2. Web site: The Militant - April 20, 2004 -- How Rebel Army took the town of Guisa. www.themilitant.com. 2020-05-14.
  3. Web site: Women in Cuba: The Revolution Within The Revolution. 2016-12-05. NADJA. en-GB. 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. 24487881. 0361-4441.
  5. Web site: Las Marianas, un pelotón de valerosas mujeres. www.artemisaradioweb.icrt.cu. 2020-05-14.
  6. Web site: Revelaciones sobre Las Marianas. www.juventudrebelde.cu. es. 2020-05-14.
  7. Web site: Las Marianas de la Sierra. www.granma.cu. 2020-05-14.
  8. Book: Volo, Lorraine Bayard de. Women and the Cuban Insurrection: How Gender Shaped Castro's Victory. 2018-02-01. Cambridge University Press. 978-1-316-83609-5. en.
  9. Book: The Guerrilla and how to Fight Him. 1962. U.S. Marine Corps. en.
  10. Reif. Linda L.. 1986. Women in Latin American Guerrilla Movements: A Comparative Perspective. Comparative Politics. 18. 2. 147–169. 10.2307/421841. 421841. 0010-4159.
  11. Book: Haney, Richard. Celia Sánchez: The Legend of Cuba's Revolutionary Heart. 2005. Algora Publishing. 978-0-87586-397-9. en.
  12. Book: Diamond, Marie Josephine. Women and Revolution: Global Expressions. 2013-06-29. Springer Science & Business Media. 978-94-015-9072-3. en.
  13. Book: Randall, Margaret. Haydée Santamaría, Cuban Revolutionary: She Led by Transgression. 2015-09-02. Duke University Press. 978-0-8223-7527-2. en.
  14. Book: Cuba annual report 1988 Office of Research & Policy Radio Martí Program. 1991-01-01. Transaction Publishers. 978-0-88738-420-2. en.
  15. Book: Samuel Farber. Cuba Since the Revolution of 1959: A Critical Assessment. 13 December 2011. Haymarket Books. 978-1-60846-166-0. 190–.
  16. Web site: 4 Cuban Revolutionaries Who Fought For Their Country, Women's Rights & A Better World. 2016-08-02. NADJA. en-GB. 2020-05-14.
  17. Web site: Las Marianas: symbol of the courage and value of Cuban women. Toro. Roberto Ortiz del. www.radioangulo.cu. en-gb. 2020-05-14.
  18. Web site: Dickey Chapelle covered Castro, Cuban revolution. Jones. Meg. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. en. 2020-05-13.

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