Cuban Revolutionary Women

Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 ISSN 0259-2239

Aleia Guitan University of West Indies Trinidad and Tobago ,iVL`\Ê£äÉÓÉÓä££ÊUÊVi«Ì>`\Ê£xÉxÉÓä££

Resumen montañas de la Sierra, reclutó campesinos dispuestos a enfrentar la tiranía. Ché Guevara, Fidel y Raúl Castro Quienes fueron testigos de su plan, or- y Camilo Cienfuegos son los nom- ganización y elaboración de estrategias bres e imágenes asociados a la gue- y lucha en la Sierras, creen que en su rrilla cubana que derrocó la tiranía movimiento revolucionario estableció en Cuba. Celia Sánchez Manduley la base del éxito final de la “Revolución fue una clase de mujer cubana de de Castro”. Este artículo enfoca la obra clase media, bióloga de profesión, de las mujeres en el éxito de la revolu- comprometida en el cambio de la ción cubana, con frecuencia enfatizada situación social y económica de en los libros de historia y en las discu- los campesinos bajo el régimen de siones historiográficas, sin atender a los Fulgencio Batista. Ella inició y se eventos que, desde estas mujeres que par- fomentó una guerra de guerri- ticiparon tempranamente en ella, dieron llas en la Sierra Maestra, pues pie al éxito revolucionario estaba decidida a poner fin a la tiranía de Batista, la mafia Palabras claves : Revolución cubana, Cecilia y el gobierno de EE.UU., Sánchez Manduley, mujeres en la revolución, los cuales, ella creía, eran guerrilleras los responsables de la violación y del robo Abstract de la sociedad cubana. Refugiada en las Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, Raul Castro and Cami- lo Cienfuegos, these are the men whose images have always been associated with the Cuban Guerilla group which brought an end to the tyrannical leadership in Cuba. Celia Sánchez Manduley a middle class Cuban

Nº 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 157 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA biologist woman, distressed about the Fulgencio Batista, was supported by social and economic position of the the United States government. peasants under the Fulgencio Batista’s regime, initiated and nurtured guerrilla Batista implemented policies that warfare in Sierra Maestra, determined profited US investors, as two-thirds to bring an end to Batista, the Mafia and of Cuban businesses were owned by the US government, who, she believed was responsible for the rape and robbery Americans, including Cuba’s sugar, of Cuban society. She took refuge in the coffee and mining industries and Sierra Mountains where she recruited public utilities. By 1958, Cuba was peasants who were willing to put an the second largest investment in end to the Batista tyranny. Those who Latin America for US companies. witnessed her plan, organize, strategize Approximately 71% of US exports and fight in the Sierras, believe her es- came from Cuba, while Cuba im- tablished revolutionary movement was ported 64% of its goods from the the foundation of the eventual success US. Cubans lived in an under-de- of “Castro’s Revolution”. The purpose veloped society, especially in rural of this paper is to highlight the work of women in the success of the Cuban Rev- areas, as there was a shortage of jobs, olution, which is seldom emphasized in food and poor infrastructure. history books or historical discussions. The time period chosen accounts for The wider society did not benefit, the events that created a foundation for economically or socially from their a successful revolution in which women relationship with the US, as profits were major pioneers. were horded by the US capitalist who invested their profits abroad . Keywords : Cuban Revolution, Cecilia The country faced social decay as Sánchez Manduley, revolutionary wom- it became the harbour for the Mafia en and guerrilla women. who indulged in prostitution, drugs INTRODUCTION and gambling. Cubans were faced with discrimination in the work The Cuban Revolution officially place as their US counterparts re- began on July 26, 1953, when Fidel ceived higher wages and promotions Castro and his group of middle class in the business sector. Women were and working class revolutionaries at a greater disadvantage since they attacked the Moncada Barracks in were discriminated against based on Santiago de Cuba. Cuba, at this time their sex, class and race. under the governance of General

158 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 Castro and his group’s attempts of indigenous or black. Celia’s determi- initiating a revolution were futile nation to help alleviate the peasants since they were outnumbered. Ap- from their oppressed conditions in- proximately 100 men took part in tensified when a peasant girl, Maria the failed insurrection. From this Ochoa was kidnapped and raped in number, 68 were killed and the oth- Havana by suspected Mafia men. ers were captured and sentenced to The Mafia was the main suspect in prison on the Isle of Pines. Fidel the kidnaps and sexual exploitation Castro and his brother Raul were of peasant woman from the rural among those captured, along with area between Havana and Santiago. the women who assisted and supported the revolutionaries. The Celia was determined to bring an group’s aim was to return to the end to Batista, the Mafia and the US 1940 constitution. Influenced by all government, who, she believed was segments of political society, it was responsible for the rape and robbery written during the de facto govern- of Cuban society. She took refuge ment of Fulgencio Batista. It made in the Sierra Mountains where she provisions for land reform, public recruited peasants who were willing education, minimum wage and oth- to put an end to the Batista tyranny. er progressive ideas. In the 1950’s, Celia gradually built a force of 143 corruption was extensive and these young men and 47 young women, ideas were not implemented. along with supplies of weapons and ammunition. She also formed com- Celia Sánchez Manduley a mid- munication links with the July 26 th dle class Cuban biologist, who was Movement in Havana. They were distressed about the social and eco- a group of Castro’s supporters who nomic position of the peasants under continued to mobilize the public the regime, initiated and nurtured while he was in prison. They issued guerrilla warfare in Sierra Maestra. anti-Batista propaganda and orga- The peasants were a group in the nized public protest which drew rural areas who worked and lived international attention to the civil on the lands which were own by unrest that was growing because of US businesses. They were paid low the tyrannical government in Cuba. wages, exploited and discriminated They also engaged in clandestine against because of their inferior class activities, which kept them familiar position and race. They were mainly with Batista’s military tactics, and

Cuban Revolutionary Women 159 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA issued revolutionary speeches from was a pro-peasant revolutionary. Castro while he was in prison. Che, along with over 80 rebels who Castro recruited, traveled to Cuba Celia established base camps aboard the Granma. Their plan was throughout the Sierras whose com- to meet Celia Sanchez on the coast munication links were maintained of Niguero on November 30, 1956. through runners and other estab- From there Fidel and his band would lished links in the area. She and join the planned uprising in Santi- her rebels started to ambush Batis- ago de Cuba, organized by the July ta’s soldiers in the Sierra regions, 26 th Movement. The plan failed and in some cases soldiers were killed, they did not reach their original des- while others were captured. Some tination. On December 2, 1956, the of the soldiers who were captured boat reached the coast of Alegría de changed sides and joined her rebel Pío, where they were spotted and group hence increasing her num- attacked by Batista’s soldiers. The bers. By 1954, her military supplies rebels were defenseless, and the ma- at her base camps had increased to jority of them were killed. Only 12 seventeen US jeeps, weapons, am- survived including Fidel, Raul, Che munition, medicine, gasoline, oil and Camilo. The presence of Ce- and food. Celia was seen as the cre- lia and her movement in the area, ator and leader of the Cuban Revo- helped ﬁght off Batista’s soldiers as lution, during this crucial period of the survivors made their way to Si- Fidel Castro’s incarceration. erra Maestra.

Those who witnessed her plan, or- At this point the Revolutionary ganize, strategize and ﬁght in the Group gained momentum, as the Sierras, believe her established rev- charismatic Fidel and the 12 surviv- olutionary movement was the foun- ing revolutionaries joined Celia in dation of the eventual success of the Sierras, where Fidel and Celia Castro’s Revolution. continued to plan further attacks on the Batista Regime. By the end Upon their release in 1955, Castro of 1958, Cuba was in political and and the other survivors of the 1953 civil turmoil as guerrilla attacks Moncada attack, ﬂed to Mexico. In continued by supporters of the Mexico City, he met the Argentine movement. Batista was also under doctor Ernesto “Che” Guevara, who heavy criticism by the United States

160 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 government for his inability to con- the history of twentieth century Lat- trol the political crisis in Cuba. in America.

Cubans were aware of the progress Fidel Castro, Ernesto “Che” Gue- of the rebel activity in the Sierras vara, Raul Castro and other male through Radio Rebelde broadcasts, revolutionary ﬁgures have always in the towns of eastern Cuba which been credited for their actions, the revolutionaries controlled. Cu- which brought a successful revolu- ban nationals were conscious of tion to Cuba and reformed a society their inferior position to Americans that was plagued by the inequalities working in Cuba who received bet- imposed by the US government ter salaries and working conditions. through the Batista regime. They were ready for change as they searched for their own identity sepa- However we must consider and ex- rate from the United States. amine the role of Celia Sánchez who initiated the revolutionary On November 30, 1958, Castro movement in the Sierras while Fidel took Guisa near Bayamo. On De- was in prison. Celia’s revolutionary cember 28; Guevara captured an en- initiative was more along feminist tire train of Batista’s troops heading lines because of the discrimination to Santa Clara. This place felt on and violence peasant women expe- December 30, and in the evening of rienced. She knew that the society December 31, Batista was told that was patriarchal and the revolution Santiago was about to fall to Castro could not propel mass support which and his guerrillas (Staten, 2003:80). led to its survival with a female lead- On January 1, 1959, Batista and his er. Those who worked with her in the closest associates ﬂed to the Domin- Sierras spoke about her humility and ican Republic. The domination of the way she discredited herself even Cuba by United States ended and though she started the foundation the transformation of Cuban society that supported Castro’s increased began through the policies of the popularity among the masses. Revolutionary Government led by Fidel Castro. The Cuban Revolu- The revolution’s success is also rooted tion is in its forty-eight year, making in the achievements of Cuban wom- it the only successful revolution in en who risked their lives as soldiers in the guerrilla movement, protested

Cuban Revolutionary Women 161 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA against the doctorial regime. They who fought with them from as early fought for women’s rights, supported as Castro’s failed attack on Moncada their fathers, brothers and husbands in 1953, to the successful defeat of as they battled to reclaim Cuba as Batista’s military from Sierra Maes- their won, for all races, classes and tra in 1959. genders to enjoy. Haydee Santamaría, Melba Hernán- The purpose of this paper is to high- dez, Celia Sánchez, Ada Martínez, light the work of women in the Tete Puebla, Danielle Ortiz, Lidia success of the Cuban Revolution, Doce, Clodomiro Acosta, Imelda which is seldom emphasized in his- Santos and the Giral sisters are the tory books or historical discussions. most eminent women who fought as The time period chosen accounts for guerrilla soldiers during the insur- the events that created a foundation rection in Cuba from 1953 to 1959. for a successful revolution in which They and other young Cuban wom- women were major pioneers. en from the age of sixteen, sacrificed their lives and their relationship FEMALE GUERRILLA SOLDIERS with their family in order to free Cuba from US Imperialism. “We have proven that in Cuba it is not only men who fight. Women also fight.” In the 1950’s women worked in the Fidel Castro (January 1, 1959)1 underground as they collected supplies for the guerrillas, sewed uni- Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, Raul forms, hid revolutionaries in their Castro and Camilo Cienfuegos, homes and provided medical aid. these are the men whose images They also served as spies and messen- have always been associated with gers and transported weapons under the Cuban Guerilla group which their clothes to the revolutionary brought an end to the tyrannical centres. Women who became guer- leadership in Cuba. However, their rilla fighters were placed in an all fe- success at defeating Batista, the male group called the Mariana Gra- Mafia and US Imperialism would jales Platoon, named after the Black not have been possible without the women who were active in Cuba’s powerful involvement of women first war of independence.The female platoon arose out of the demand of 1 Smith Louis and Padula Alfred. Sex and women working with the guerrilla Revolution; Women in Socialist Cuba. P. 26.

162 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 movement to take up arms, instead apprehended their weapons. The of playing the same traditional role norm with male platoons was to re- in the rebel group that they played treat after their leader was wounded. in the society they were trying to Hence the performance of the wom- change. (Shnookal: 31). en was viewed as truly outstanding.

In a speech given by Fidel Castro In her study Cuban Women Now on January 20, 1981, in the Granma Margaret Randall interviewed Is- Providence he described the resis- abela Rielo, who was a captain in tance given by male combatants to the Mariana Grajales. She later be- women having such a role. “I re- came a captain in the Revolutionary member that when I organized the Armed Forces and shared the expe- Mariana Grajales Platoon-in fact, I rience of the women in the combat- took part in the combat training of ant group. The women who formed those comrades-some of the rebel the battalion did not want to be fighters were furious, because they treated any different from the men; didn’t like the idea of a platoon made they wanted to be seen as just one up of women. We had some spare more soldier. Isabel Rielo expressed M-1s, and the M-1 was considered a that the women had to make the good light weapon and therefore, we men understand that they also faced thought it would be the right one for the same privations and hardships. women. Some of our fighters wanted to know why they had Springfields The women also endured the at- while the women were going to get tacks from airplanes as government M-1s. On more than one occasion I soldiers fired at them with machine got so annoyed that I answered, ‘Be- guns; they also hauled the wounded cause they are better fighters than to safe positions and later to cam- you are’” (Stone: 8). paign hospitals so that they would not succumb to their wounds from His statement about the women bombs. “When it came to sharing being better fighters was proven by the hardships, to talking about our the women themselves when they dead, to talking about the next at- continued to fight a battle near Hol- tack, we were just one more soldier guin after their leader was wound- on the ranks; of course the men al- ed. They attacked a truck load of ways praised us in terms of how we soldiers which they obliterated and assimilated the danger” (Randall:

Cuban Revolutionary Women 163 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA 141). According to Isabel, the con- to capture and kill government sol- stitution of the platoon made people diers. If an enemy was wounded they more attentive to their performance would attend to their wombs when in the movement. Some people had they were captured, however when confidence in the Mariana Graja- they were faced with the situation les, as they shared the opinion that where they had to kill the enemy, could fight just like men and were Isabel said she never knew of any seen as useful and as courageous as woman who hesitated. the male combatants. The participation of women as soldiers had Haydee Santamaría, one of the lead- historic significance as they showed ers and heroes of the revolution com- the importance women would have mented, “My own mother was the in the process and development of kind of woman who thought that the revolution. men were the only ones who had the right to make revolutions” (Stone: The incorporation of women into 18). Even supporters of the revolu- the militia was chastised by some in tion questioned the woman’s place in society. They questioned the morals the militia. Eventually they accepted of these women who wore combat- the incorporation of women in the ant uniforms and carried weapons, militia since every capable person as they did not conform to their was needed to defend the country. traditional role as wife, mother and care taker. Isabel Rielo in her inter- Haydee Santamaría and Melba view with Margaret Randall, com- Hernández joined Castro’s rebellion mented that scientific points of view against Batista’s dictatorship in 1953 were used to support arguments as when they attacked the Moncada the women’s maternal instincts were military barracks. They were initially questioned. “If we were really fem- responsible for transporting weapons, inine and had this well developed cleaning and setting up cots and iron- instinct, they said we’d feel terrible ing uniforms for the men who would when we saw blood, even if it was attack Moncada. Castro initially re- enemy blood. They said we’d be too fused the women to accompany them moved if a man died, and even if it in Moncada but a deal was arranged was the enemy we’d feel inclined to that they would come as nurses to try to help him, to save him” (138). care for the wounded after Melba dis- The spirit of their rebellion was not played her aggravation with Castro

164 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 who did not want the women to en- had cut off, was rubbed all over her gage in combat. face and chest. Upon their release, Haydee and Melba joined Celia I protested to Fidel that we were Sánchez Manduley in Sierra Maes- as revolutionary and that it was tra, who had already started to build unjust to discriminate against us a force to battle the Batista Regime. for being women. Fidel hesitated; Under the leadership of Celia in we had made a sensible point… the Sierras, Melba and Haydee were We couldn’t believe that we would be left behind after we had given more leadership and combat- considered ourselves an essential ive roles, as they also fought along- part of the group! (Padula: 24). side Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos in the last stages Melba Hernández and Haydee San- of the battles that defeated Batista. tamaría were both arrested and con- demned to seven months in prison Celia Sánchez continued the revo- after the failed Moncada attack. lutionary fervour and indeed devel- Haydee remembered: oped the resistance into a complete revolutionary movement without The Supreme Court wanted to the assistance of Fidel Castro, Che free us. It was not the custom Guevara and other prominent male for women of so- called decent revolutionary ﬁgures. families to go to jail. I belonged to a rural family of position and While Castro was in prison, Celia culture, not of the street. But… Sánchez Manduley declared war on we were part of it (the rebel- the Batista Regime after the grue- lion), and what would I have done when I got out? I couldn’t some death of a peasant girl. She get a job. I would have had to go recruited young men and women home. (p. 24) along with supplies as she travelled through the rural towns and farms Haydee was tortured by Batista’s of the Sierra Mountain range. She men. She was blindfolded and tied to gradually built an army and planned a chair as she was forced to listen to detailed attacks on military camps Batista’s men torture to death her ﬁ- stationed in the areas of Holguin, ancé, Reynaldo Boris Luis Santa Co- Bayamo, Santiago de Cuba, Nuevi- loma. Her blindfolds were removed tas and Manzanillo. and Reynaldo’s testicles which they

Cuban Revolutionary Women 165 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA As a planner, organizer, and strat- In a letter written to Nora Peters by egist, Celia quickly became a guer- Celia Sánchez in 1973, which Rich- rilla legend. As a front-line fighter ard Haney published in his book Celia with incomparable bravery and Sánchez: The Legend of Cuba’s Revolu- skill, she was soon worshipped, not tionary Heart , Celia said she was not only by the men and women she a born guerrilla or revolutionary, but commanded, but also by the resi- dents in the area who began hear- a Cuban who loved her country and ing about her. This aided immense- people. She believed that she would ly in steadily increasing her rebel have the support of Cuban peasants army and its supplies. (Haney: 28) once they felt they had a chance to By June of 1954, Celia was the defeat Batista. She knew she had to proud owner of seventeen US out-fight and out-smart Batista’s men jeeps and from her own procure- in order to survive since she had no ments as well as captured Batista blueprint to follow since no dictator supplies, she had steady supplies with US support was ever threatened of weapons, ammunition, medi- by a peasant uprising. cine, gas, oil and food at her base camps. Her growing reputation resulted in steady streams of new Celia wrote: peasant recruits. (Haney: 29) As for guerrilla tactics and the rev- She also had over seventy prisoners olutionary stuff, that was purely a captured who were guarded and cared step-by-step process. I improvised all the way, reacting to each threat for by her group. In some cases they from the enemy. I guess a guerrilla were set free while others choose to stay fights defensively to survive while as they genuinely switched sides and inflicting as much damage as possi- became new recruits of Celia’s guer- ble, with the goal of getting strong rilla group. A bounty of $75 000 was enough to one day go on the of- placed on her head which eventually fensive. By the summer of 1957 we became the CIA priority as they sent were on the offensive and by the a US assassin to kill her. Celia Sánchez summer of 1958 we were winning was the Cuban Revolution as stated by big battles. (Haney: 11) Ada Martínez her top lieutenant. She believed the Cuban Revolution would Teté Puebla was a fifteen year old not exist without Celia who became rebel, whose initial involvement in the inspiration for the incarcerated the revolution was in clandestine ac- young renegade Fidel Castro. tivities in the city. She carried guns

166 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 and other ammunition, sold bonds in the Sierra. The Giral sisters, twen- to help raise funds for the movement ty eight year old Cristina and twen- and her home was used to house rev- ty two year old Loudres, distributed olutionary activists. In July 1957, she propaganda, transport explosives and went to Sierra Maestra to serve. As used their apartment to hold clan- a soldier she was prepared for battle destine meetings. These women were despite injuries suffered. She was a captured and tortured to death by key officer in the all female guerrilla Batista’s army .They are seen as the unit, Mariana Grajaes Brigade. Teté martyrs of the struggle and their cou- went on to become a general in the rageous efforts has always been cred- Cuban army whose success she has ited to the Revolution’s success. been praised for. The women who worked in the rev- Imelda Santos, Gloria Espinosa and olutionary movement showed their Danielle Ortiz were excellent fight- loyalty to Cuba and the revolution ers who understood Celia’s mission through their risky and fatal activi- of making Cuba safe for all Cubans. ties in order to bring change to the Danielle Ortiz was the youngest fe- society. They opposed the tradition- male who participated in the search al roles assigned to them so that of “Modesto” the US assassin hired their role would be instrumental, to kill Celia. During the ambush by creating changes that Cuban history the rebels of the army officials who has not forgotten assisted “Modesto”, Danielle captured and shot the well trained as- WOMEN IN POLITICS sassin from The Army School of the Americas. Danielle Ortiz was seen The basic function of the Federation of as a Celia’s heroine and she never Cuban Women is to incorporate women into the construction of, socialism, elevat- left Celia’s side throughout the rev- ing the general political, cultural, and olutionary struggle. She would be- technical level of the nation. All of the come Celia’s main body guard after FMC’s activities are designed precisely the triumph of the revolution. to mobilize women, organize them, and improve their condition. Vilma Espin (March, 1971) Lidia Esther Doce Sánchez, Clodomi- ra Ferrals Acosta and the Giral sisters Prior to the triumph of the revolu- were revolutionary messengers who tion in 1959, there were a number carried messages to the various units of women’s organizations that sought

Cuban Revolutionary Women 167 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA the social and political interest of Revolutionary government were women. Some organized cultural conscious of the fact that they need- events while others acted as pressure ed the support of the masses in order groups as they protested against the to make the revolution a complete repressive measures of the govern- success. Through the establishment ment, and also support groups, who of the Federation of Cuban Women, organized medicine, clothing and there would be movement of women food for political prisoners. For ex- from within the home, into the pub- ample, Mujeres Oposicionistas Unidas . lic arena where they would be fully involved in the political, social and After Castro’s first attempt to over- economical transformation of Cu- throw Batista in 1953, women’s ban society. groups were formed from the female support of the revolution. One such The FMC would also be used as the group was the Revolutionary Wom- channel from the working class to en’s Union, organized in 1959; ded- the politicians, as women’s opinions, icated to peace, democratic liberties ideas and problems could be present- and economic improvement. Its ed to the party and state agencies for members tried to mobilize women solutions. These solutions were to into supporting the revolution and be material, legal, political or ideo- also help raise funds for the agrarian logical. In essence, the revolution reform of May, 1959. showed sensitivity to the energies and ideas of the fifty percent of the On August 23, 1960, the Federa- population which was female. tion of Cuban Women (FMC) was founded to incorporate women in Vilma Espín was appointed pres- the revolutionary process under ident of the FMC by Fidel Castro. the leadership of the Revolution- She met Castro in Mexico City in ary Government. The government 1954, on her return from study- sought to organize the different ing in the United States. She was women’s groups into a single orga- a key figure in the coordination of nization that would unify all sectors clandestine activity for the July 26 th of women into the revolution to Movement, in Santiago de Cuba form an enthusiastic political fem- and later had a number of responsi- inine foundation for the success of bilities in the Rebel Army in Sierra the revolution. The leaders of the Maestra, which she joined in 1957.

168 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 The FMC’s main initiative was to resources in women was explored. achieve complete equality for wom- The success of these plans was due en, which was one of the revolutions to the extraordinary contributions objectives. Equality for women in to the economic development of the society meant that they would be country with mass incorporation of participants in the politics and strat- women into the labour force. egies of developing Cuba. In Cuba, before the triumph of the The ﬁrst initiative in achieving an revolution, the female presence in egalitarian society was the Literacy leadership positions was uncom- Campaign which was a drive to curb mon. There were intermediate lev- the disparity of illiteracy between els of society where women had Cuban men and women. The cam- leadership role. However they were paign organized brigades to teach seen as “decorations” as their abili- reading and writing to peasant fam- ty to make decisions was monitored ilies in rural areas. The Ana Betan- and limited by their male counter- court project was also established to parts. The appointment of promi- teach women from the most remote nent women, who fought alongside areas of the Oriente vocational skills. Fidel Castro in the Revolution, brought new meaning to the pres- The FMC second concern was the ence of the woman in a leadership inculcation of women in the work- role. The appointment of Celia Sán- force. The FMC in 1968, tried to chez as Secretary of State, gave her make the labour market more attrac- liberty to advice the Castro Regime tive to women through Resolutions on policies in the recreation of the 47 and 48. These initiates were the Cuban society as she had envisioned foundation of creating a skilled and it, when she started the Revolu- educated workforce among women tionary process in the Sierras. One who would later take up leadership of her major concerns was the par- positions in the society. In Castro’s ticipation of all Cuban children in address in The Fifth National Ple- culture and sports. She mandated nary of the FMC on December, 18, the establishment of the Cuban 1966, he stated that the plans of National Ballet, which gave dance the revolution that were being car- scholarship to children across Cuba. ried out would not have been pos- She also worked on the organization sible until the reservoir of human of sport academies which provide

Cuban Revolutionary Women 169 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA the average Cuban child with access creation and investigation of the to team sports. The FMC’s focus on vanguard school of thought, with eradicating illiteracy among women special focus on Latin America and from rural areas was the foundation the Caribbean. for increase in the number of educated women in society. Isabel Rielo, who was a leader in the Mariana Grajales brigade, was Melba Hernández was arrested along promoted to lieutenant in 1960. In with Castro and his rebel group after 1961, she founded the Lidia Doce the failed Moncada attack. Upon School for Militias and later be- her released she went to the Sierras came a captain in the Revolutionary where she joined Celia Sánchez and armed Forces. She also worked in Haydee Santamaría to continue the the Medical Corp and the Military mobilization of guerrilla movement Technical Institute. She was later in the peasant areas. After the suc- sent to head the Turibacoa Vegeta- cess of the insurrection, she served ble Plan, which focused on the ex- as a founding member of the Federa- portation vegetables and the provi- tion of Cuban Women. She was also sion of raw material for the canning appointed the chairwoman of the industry in Cuba. Cuban committee of Solidarity with Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. She Elena Mederos was the first Min- later became the Cuban Ambassa- ister of Welfare under the Castro dor to Vietnam. Regime in 1959. Her devotion to the social development of Cubans Haydee Santamaría founded Casa was evident when she founded the de las Américas , in 1959. A literary School of Social Sciences of the institute which has supported and University of Havana. She also es- funded Cuban writers and artist, tablished the Foundation of Social as the Revolutionary Government Sciences, a private organization de- sought to create a culture for the voted to developing standards and masses, a culture free from foreign programs for children’s institutions imitation, that was structurally in Cuba. These were the creden- Cuban culture and Revolutionary tials that awarded her such a post based. In 1960, the organization under the Castro Regime however, launched their magazine Casa de after five months she resigned her las Americas which was open to the post and fled to Miami. She was in

170 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 opposition of the policies carried out WOMEN IN CUBAN SOCIETY by the regime which she believed was Communist. Many of the plans that the revolution is today . .carrying out could not have been conceived until the great Teresa Casuso met Fidel Castro in reservoir of human resources that our Mexico, in 1956. She supported Cas- society possesses in its women was tro’s Revolutionary ideas and allowed clearly recognized. These plans could him to use her home to hide weapons not have been conceived without the mass incorporation of women into and ammunition that he collected the workforce. Fidel Castro (1966)2 while in Mexico, for his expedition to Cuba later that year. She was later Women in Cuban society under the arrested and sentenced for her pos- Batista Regime were subjected to session of ammunition in her apart- prostitution, sexual violence, illit- ment, when Mexican police became eracy, unemployment and sexism. suspicious of Castro’s activities. She In 1958, the unemployment rate in later reconciled with him after the Cuba was twenty percent and one success of the Revolution and was in every eight workers was a wom- appointed the Cuban Delegate of the an. It was the norm that the woman United Nations Organizations. On received lower wages than her male October 13, 1960, she denounced counterparts, no benefits, faced job the Castro Regime and took asylum limitations and she was not entitled in the United States. to paid maternity leave. Almost one quarter of the Cuban population was The appointment of these key wom- illiterate, the figure being 23.95%. en from the Rebel Group in reputa- The illiteracy rate in the rural areas ble position in society was the be- for the adult population was around ginning of the inculcation of women forty-five percent, with the majori- in general in the political process by ty being peasant women. Schooling the Revolutionary government. The for peasant women was considered formation of the FMC and their ob- unnecessary since their futures were jective to mobilize women to fully restricted to the home and children. participate in the economic, political and social life reinforces the importance of women in the success of the Cuban Revolution. 2 Cited by Padula, Alfred and Smith, Lois. (1966). Sex and Revolution: Women in So- cialist Cuba. p. 95.

Cuban Revolutionary Women 171 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA Prostitution was prevalent in the that her mother was supportive of streets of Havana since Cuba was her decision to participate; however the “playpen” for Mafia gangsters her aunts and uncles were terrified. and rich American students who She endured difficulties with illness, sought a sexual rendezvous while harassment and attacks from CIA- on vacation. In 1961, Law 993 was backed counter-revolutionary ban- passed outlawing prostitution and dits. Nevertheless she persisted and identifying those who were associ- by the end of her eight month peri- ated with it as “socially dangerous”. od she had taught all the illiterates Prostitutes were sent to schools in her section to read and write. She for rehabilitation where they were later said “We hauled up our pink taught vocational skills, basic eti- flag, declaring the area free of illiter- quette and table manners. acy” (Padula: 84).

The first initiative of the Revolu- The literacy campaign marked the tionary government to improve the beginning of men and women shar- life of peasant women was through ing the same work and the difficult the Literacy Campaign. The litera- circumstances of rural Cuba. The cy campaign was launched in Sep- young female brigadistas were lib- tember 1960 when Castro declared erating themselves from a culture 1961 as the “Year of Education”. that did not allow them to leave The objective of the campaign was their homes un-chaperoned. Years to recruit high school students as later one former literacy teacher literacy volunteers. The campaign expressed it this way: “The liter- was designed to eradicate illiteracy acy drive was the first time in my in poor communities and to increase life, and I believe the first time in the awareness of middle-class youths our history as well, that women to the difficulties their poorer coun- were given an equal role with men trymen faced. Despite the fears and in bringing about a monumental prejudices of the families of middle change” (Stone: 10). class girls who believed their daugh- ters would be easy prey in black In 1961 the Ana Betancourt rural areas, fifty six percent of the School for Peasant Girls, was es- one hundred thousand volunteers tablished and accommodated in were girls. Mónica Ramos, a Ha- mansions abandoned by the up- vana high school student, testified per classes. It was named after the

172 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 female fighter for equal rights for benefited previously from educa- women in Cuba’s first struggle for tional programs. Almost anyone independence in 1869. who knew a bit more than his or her neighbour was encouraged to make The entry requirements were: 1. a up for the giant deficit of teach- female peasant who did not have ers. “Those who don’t know, learn; access to adequate schooling in her those who know, teach,” became area, 2. must be at least eight years the slogan which continues to have old since in rural Cuba, females meaning (Randall: 55). at this age were considered to be “women” and 3. must be willing The oppression of women stems to undertake the new experience. from being confined to the roles of Upon graduating from the institute housewife and mother as they are the women were given sewing ma- isolated from society since they are chines and instructed to teach at economically dependent on their least ten women in their communi- husbands. The Cuban Revolution- ty what they had learnt. The course ary government understood these was geared at balancing work and Marxist ideologies as they tried to study, as the women were taught to free women from economic depen- sew, along with classes in reading, dency and fully incorporate them writing, physical education, dancing in the social, cultural economic and and singing, hygiene, history and political life of the country. the goals of the revolution. The main interest of the Federation Additional educational programs of Cuban Women (FMC), which were established to help domes- was established August 23, 1960, was tic servants of the bourgeois class. to get women involved in the con- Schools were established to teach struction of socialism which would them new skills and professions like elevate the political, technical and accounting, secretarial skills, trans- cultural level of the nation. The lating and interpreting. Rehabilita- FMC created a forum where wom- tion programs were established for en could address issues of sexual dis- prostitutes where they were taught crimination along with other prob- other means of making a livelihood. lems women faced and seek changes These programs were facilitated by to eliminate these problems. other Cuban women who had also

Cuban Revolutionary Women 173 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA The housing of FMC units in region- In 1964, an article was published al, municipal and provincial areas in the newspaper Trabajo which ex- facilitated the involvement of house- pressed these concerns: In offices, wives who took the opportunity to teaching, and stores, women are bet- socialize without their husbands as ter situated than men, who should be they participated in educational pro- doing labour where there is greater grams and neighbourhood projects. necessity of physical force” (Padula: 122). Resolution 48 reserved certain In 1968, the Federation of Cuban jobs for men only since they were con- women (FMC) started the initiative sidered physically harmful to women. to bring 100 000 new women into The study carried out in 1965, also fulltime workforce. The FMC visit- identified 498 jobs that would sup- ed the homes of over 600 000 wom- posedly endanger the reproductive en in an effort to encourage them to capacity of the woman. Some of the go to work or enrol in educational jobs identified were subterranean classes. To facilitate the increase of work, work in quarries, work in high women in the Cuban labour force, or low temperatures, work at heights Resolutions 47 and 48 were passed and work with equipment that pro- in March 1968. Resolution 47 stip- duces heavy vibrations. The Reso- ulated that women were to be given lution also facilitated the temporary first preference in the 437 identified transfer without any deduction in job categories. These jobs were de- salary of pregnant women from jobs termined by the limited danger they that threatened their health. posed to a woman’s reproductive health, based on a 1965 study autho- The FMC discussed the country’s rized by Fidel Castro. The categoriz- production needs with men in an ef- ing of jobs based on gender was in fort to coax them to relinquish their accordance with the traditional and positions in light industries or less cultural Latin American view that physically strenuous tasks. Approx- the woman’s principal role is repro- imately 25000 men switched jobs duction, which must be protected. as they took up heavier physical la- Therefore, women should not be in- bour, as more women were attracted volved in strenuous physical labour to the work force in jobs considered like cane cutting and construction. compatible for their sex. Despite Thus gender still played a critical the positive response from men, few role in occupation determinant. women applied for these special jobs

174 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 as identiﬁed under Resolution 47, refused to share household responsi- while others were unaware of the bilities. The government also faced passed law so they continued work- the challenge of inadequate infra- ing in those banned jobs or “mascu- structure to facilitate day-care cen- line” jobs. In the 1970 interviews tres, school lunchrooms, laundries conducted by Margaret Randall in and workers’ dining halls which were her study Women in Cuba: Twenty needed to abate the burden of house- Years Later , she questioned profes- work. The administrators of some sional women, peasants and workers establishments did not give their about resolutions 47 and 48. The support as they resented the time off general response was that they were given to women to care for children unaware of the new labour laws pro- or fulﬁl other responsibilities. tecting women from physically dangerous jobs. “Cane-cutters laughed In the revolutionary government’s when told their specialty was on fervour to incorporate public pro- the prohibited list!” (Randall: 28). duction in Cuba by increasing wom- These women and their ancestors en in the labour force, they eroded were very productive in their duties the value of domestic labour and the of cutting cane and loading heavy imperative incentives to ebb wom- sacks, deemed by them as normal en’s double shift. The FMC pursued work that they would be paid for un- the establishment of day care cen- der the Revolutionary government. tres by raising funds to alleviate the economic support needed from the In 1962 a Cuban journalist expressed government. In 1969, the organi- the grounds for true exemption from zation selected approximately 1000 housework for women: “There will domestic servants to day care teach- not be true liberation (for women) er-training institutes, who had pre- until there is a network of cafeterias, viously attended teacher-training laundromats, day care centres and, institutes to staff schools. The cen- schools that help alleviate...domes- tres were established in abandoned tic tasks” (Randall: 131) . mansions where the children were supplied with meals, baths, snacks This statement proved to be true as and periodic medical care. the campaign faced objections by working class men who demanded A fee based on parental income was that their wives stayed at home and initially established but was later

Cuban Revolutionary Women 175 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA removed making day-care free to all singer and actress in the night and full-time working mothers. One of servant during the day. She is heavily the first day care programmes estab- involved in clandestine activity and lished by the FMC was in the Min- she uses her job as an entertainer to istry of Foreign Relations, which conceal her intentions. These two reduced absenteeism among wom- books are examples of the new cul- en. The FMC’s continued effort to ture formed, which gives recognition alleviate the dual role of all working to the woman’s contribution to the women led to The Family Code of success of the Cuban revolution. 1975. Cuban law placed economic value on domestic tasks which men The result of government efforts to were required to share and the work- eradicate illiteracy and economic de- ing spouse must provide financial pendency among women was the in- support for the stay at home partner. crease in females attaining a university level education. In the mid 1960’s fe- The literary works that evolved after male students were pursuing many new the revolution fused cultural expres- fields of disciplines at university level, sion and political consciousness to for example, geology. By the 1970’s create a new revolutionary culture. women were seen in professional po- Some of the themes focused on the sitions as doctors, engineers, scientists, contribution of the woman in the architects and university professors. progress. Maestra Voluntaria by Daura Olema, who participated in the liter- “This revolution has really been acy campaign, writes in first person two revolutions for women; it has the experience of a female protago- meant a double liberation: as part of nist in the literacy campaign. Gestos the exploited sector of the country, (1963) by Severo Sarduy, shows the and second, as women, who were participation of women in clandes- discriminated against not only as tine activity, in pre-revolutionary workers but as women.” Fidel Castro Cuba. The protagonist is a black (December 6, 1966) 3

3 Stone, Elizabeth. Women and the Cuban Revolution. p. 12.

176 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 BIOGRAPHIES OF PROMINENT Her father was Dr. Manuel Sánchez, CUBAN WOMEN the head of the Cuban Medical As- sociation and the owner of three CELIA SÁNCHEZ farms. Her mother, Acacia Man- duley, died in 1926 from a tropical fever related to childbirth, leaving Celia and her eight siblings to be cared for by their aunt.

Celia attained her degree in biology and was trained as a nurse at home. She regularly assisted her father when he visited patients in the rural areas. Celia’s love and attachment to country people grew out of her trips with her father and her inter- action with the workers on her father’s farms.

In May 1953, as true Cuban patri- ots, Celia and her father along with students of El Semenario Martiano went to the Turquino Peak to install Celia Sánchez Manduley was not a bust of Jose Martí. Celia’s anti-Ba- only the creator and the leader of tista sentiments were first influenced the Cuban Revolution; she was the by her father, who was troubled by Cuban Revolution. As the insight- the treatment of peasants under the ful witness Ada Martínez stated, the Batista regime. Celia assisted under- Cuban Revolution “would cease to ground meetings but she knew that exist” without Celia. As the eager a peasant revolution could not over- but safely incarcerated young rebel throw the United States and Mafia stated, she was Fidel Castro’s inspi- backed dictator. This was further re- ration (Haney: 32). inforced when Fidel Castro and his rebel group failed to take over the Celia Sanchez was born on May 9, Moncada barracks on July 26, 1953. 1920, in the town of Media Luna.

Cuban Revolutionary Women 177 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA Her fate in igniting a successful Those who were in the Sierra, said peasant revolution came when Ma- that she was a very humble woman ria Ochoa, a peasant girl who she who, despite her accomplishments, cared for at birth, was murdered in spent most of the time diverting all Havana. Celia went into the Sier- the publicity from herself to others. ra Mountains, where she recruited She allowed Castro to lead the guer- young men and women, to start a rilla movement with the confidence peasant revolution. She had me- that he would fulfil the revolution- ticulously planned detailed attacks ary ideas that would free the Cuban on military camps stationed in the people from the inequities and in- areas of Holguin, Bayamo, Santiago justices they faced by US Imperial- de Cuba, Nuevitas and Manzanillo. ism. Her discipline and total devo- Celia’s popularity grew in the Sier- tion to the leadership of Fidel along ras as young peasants voluntarily de- with her discretion and intelligence cided to join her. Celia established earned her the respect of the Revo- links with the July 26 th Movement lutionary Army and the rural people in Havana. Through them, the in- during the insurrection and after the carcerated Castro became aware of triumph of the Revolution. her revolutionary movement and he organized contact with her via let- After the triumph of the revolution ters delivered by messengers from in 1959, Celia was the Executive Sec- July 26th Movement. retary to the Commander in Chief until her death in 1980. On October On December 2 1956, she and her 1st , 1965, she became a member of rebel group fought off Batista’s sol- the Central Committee of the Com- diers, as Fidel Castro and his group’s munist Party of Cuba and in 1976 plans to invade Cuba from the she was chosen as a diplomat to the Niquero coast failed. Castro and his National Assembly of Popular Power. group joined Celia in the Sierras, She had the authority to advice the where they planned and strategized regime on policy and issues in Cuba’s attacks on Batista’s army camps relationship with the world. On May through the Sierra region. On Jan- 4, 1964, she founded the Office of His- uary 1 st , 1959, the revolution was torical Affairs (Oficina de Asuntos), successful as Fulgencio Batista fled to preserve the historical documents Cuba after the successful invasions of and testimonies of the revolutionary army camps by Celia’s Rebel Group. process. She also used her capacity as

178 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 a government ofﬁcial to create public VILMA ESPÍN institutions and tourist centers like the Palace of the Revolution (Pala- cio de la Revolution), Havana’s 1900 acre Lenin Park and the renowned “Coppelia” ice cream parlour. She also mandated the ballet scholarship program for Cuban children also government funded sports academies, which gave children across the island access to team sports.

On January 11 th , 1980, Celia died after her battle with cancer. She continues to live in the hearts of the Cuban people as a representation of the true Cuban revolutionary and female ideal because of her dedication to the construction of a true Cuban society. One year after her death, Fidel Castro established the Celia Sánchez Manduley Hospital in her hometown of Manzanillo. The facil- Vilma Espín Guillois is described ity is seen as a symbol of the caretak- as sensitive, precise with the ca- ing role Celia performed in life. pacity to judge and criticize, to in- spire and encourage. These are the traits that deﬁned her and allowed her to become the most multi- faceted female presence in Cuba (Shnookal: 35).

Vilma Espín was born on April 13 th , 1930, in Santiago de Cuba in the Oriente province. She belonged to the petit bourgeois class since her father was the vice director of the

Cuban Revolutionary Women 179 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA House of Barcardi and her mother which she practiced in herself. After was the daughter of the French con- an uprising in Santiago in Novem- sul in Santiago. ber 30, 1956 which Castro and the rebel group failed to join, she went She was one of the first women to underground in April 1957, and was graduate with a degree in Chemical named the July 26 th Movement co- Engineering from the University of ordinator in Oriente Province. Oriente. In 1952, she joined the student struggles against Fulgencio Ba- Vilma’s parents were supportive and tista when she became a member of understood the struggle of the rebel the Revolutionary National Move- group. Her father identified with it ment, Oriente National Action and since he was a member of the civ- the Revolutionary National Action. ic resistance. Her mother, who was She supported the 1953 revolt lead afraid that Vilma would be killed, by Fidel Castro at the Moncada bar- insisted that she go to the moun- racks and became a member of the tains because of her popularity in July 26 th Movement, where she or- the small city of Santiago. In 1957 ganized and planned clandestine ac- she went to the Sierra to join the tivities in the Oriente Province. rebel group there. In 1958 she organized and coordinated the support In 1954 she went to the United needed for the clandestine move- States to pursue post graduate study ment in Oriente towns. at the Massachusetts Technological Institute in Boston. One year later In 1959 after the success of the Rev- on her return to Cuba she went to olution, she married Raul Castro, Mexico where she met Fidel Cas- the brother of Fidel Castro, who be- tro for the first time. In Mexico came Cuba’s second highest leader. she received instructions and ma- Later that year she led a delegation terials to take back to Cuba, as the of Cuban women to the Congress of rebel group was preparing to in- Latin American Women in Santi- vade Cuba on November 30, 1956. ago, Chile. In this congress Cuban Her main job was to prepare First women carried the voice of the Rev- Aid Brigades, doctors and nurses; olution and reaffirmed the idea of in areas where the wounded would constructing in Cuba a strong move- be sent during the battle. She also ment that favours social progress of transported rebels to target practice the Cuban woman. In her address to

180 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 the Congress, Vilma stated that the HAYDEE SANTAMARÍA enemies of the Cuban revolution were the enemies of Latin America (Smith, L. & Padula, A.: 35).

On August 23, 1960, she was chosen by the Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro, to head the Federation of Cu- ban Women. The Federation was designed to mobilize, organize and train women by uniting them and building a conscious force on behalf of the revolution. She also served as the chair of the Commission for Social Prevention (1967-1971), director of industrial development in the food industry (1969-1973), president of the Infancy Institute since 1971 and Haydee Santamaría Cuadrado is vice president of the International described by Roberto Fernández Re- Federation of Democratic Women tamar, the Cuban poet, as an excep- since 1973 (Shnookal, 1991). tional woman, organizer and builder of the Cuban Revolution and activ- In 1975 she participated and presid- ist of Latin American and Caribbe- ed over the Cuban delegation that an cultural development. assisted the United Nations Orga- nization, on the theme of Woman Haydee Santamaría was born on in Mexico. Also, she participated December 30, 1922 in Encrucijada, in Copenhagen in 1980, Nairobi in the sugar mill centre of Las Villas 1985 and Beijing in 1995. province. Her father was a carpentry teacher and her mother, a housewife. Vilma continues to work with the Haydee, from a very young age identi- Federation of Cuban Women and is ﬁed with social problems around her. know as the First Lady of the Revo- She and her brother Abel felt compas- lutionary Government. sion for the workers who suffered unemployment between sugar harvests (Smith, L. & Padula, A.: 23).

Cuban Revolutionary Women 181 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA She and her brother moved to Ha- of Culture. They had two children, vana to escape their “very reaction- Abel who was born in 1960 and ary” family (Smith, L. & Padula, A.: Celia who was born in 1963. Her 23). In Havana, she identiﬁed with education exceeded the sixth grade the revolutionary ideas of her broth- education she attained as a child. er who followed the ideologies of Fi- Her natural intelligence, profound del Castro. She participated in the intuition and sensibility converted failed Moncada attack in 1953, and her into a workaholic and the need was sentenced to seven months in to manifest genuine art found in lit- prison. Upon her release she joined erature and paintings. the July 26 th Movement as she continued in clandestine activity in On July 4 th , 1959, she founded La Havana, as the Movement spread Casa de las Américas of which she their revolutionary ideas, along with was the director until her death in speeches written by Castro while in 1980. Through the institute she de- prison, like his famous justiﬁcation veloped and supported Cuban artist of the Moncada attack: “History and writers who were offered schol- Will absolve Me”. arships and won prizes for their contribution to Cuban culture and In 1956 she participated in the San- by extension Latin American and tiago uprising which was supposed to Caribbean culture. On October 3 rd , coincide with Castro’s arrival at the 1965, she was chosen to be a mem- coastal town of Niguero, from Mexi- ber of the United Socialist Party of co to invade the military barracks in the Revolution (El Partido Unido that area. After the failed attack she de la Revolucion Socialista). In joined Castro and the rebel group in the second conference of the Fed- the Sierras, where she fought and or- eration of Cuban women she was ganized along with other female reb- chosen as a committee member be- els the insurrection that successfully cause of her continuous defense of ended on January 1 st , 1959. women’s rights.

After the triumph of the revolution On July 28 th , 1980, six months after she married Armando Hart, a fel- the death of Celia Sánchez and on low member of the July 26 th Move- the twenty seventh anniversary of ment. He became the Minister of the Moncada attack, she committed Education and then the Minister suicide at her home in Havana.

182 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239 MELBA HERNÁNDEZ prepared the uniforms for the rebels and served as a nurse to the wounded.

As a trained lawyer she was used by Castro as his defence during the Moncada trials. Her role as the legal representative for Castro continued after her seven months sentence. She maintained contact with Cas- tro through secret correspondences and eventually received and published the full content of his famous speech, “History Will Absolve Me”.

She was a member of the National Directorate of the July 26 th Move- ment as she revived Fidel’s movement through meetings with radio stations and propaganda. During Fidel’s exile after his release, she went to Mexico to help direct the Movement, while Melba Hernández was born on July Fidel visited the United States. 28 th , 1921. Her father and Corina Rodríguez, who was a messenger for After the triumph of the revolution the mambi general, Higinio Esquer- she served as a founding member of ra, inﬂuenced he decision to join the Federation of Cuban Women. the revolutionary movement. She was a member of the Cuban Organization of Solidarity of Towns In 1953, she was arrested along with of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Haydee Santamaría for their partici- In 1986 she was the chairwoman of pation in the failed Moncada attack. the Cuban Committee of Solidarity She wanted to participate in the ac- with Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. tual attack as a rebel soldier but Fi- In 2001 she became the Vice Pres- del Castro demanded that she and ident of the Cuban Association of Haydee remained in hideout. She the United States.

Cuban Revolutionary Women 183 Aleia Guitan Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 ISSN 0259-2239 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA CONCLUSION female population which the Re- gime needed to survive. The Cuban Revolution is in its forty eight year, making it the only suc- Because of the role played by wom- cessful revolution in the history of en in the first decade of the Revo- twentieth century Latin America. lution, women are now poised to Its survival has been accredited to play a greater role in Cuban soci- Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and oth- ety. Women are actively involved er male revolutionary figures. The in the political decision making facts presented in this study prove process allowing them to lobby for that the success of the revolution policies that benefit the woman as also relied on the foundation con- a social being. Women are substan- structed by Celia Sánchez in the tially represented in education, the Sierra; a foundation which allowed armed forces and the general work Castro to successfully overthrow force, whose doors were once closed the Batista regime in 1959 after his to women especially, those from the failed attempt in 1953. lower classes.

The partnership formed by Celia The female pioneers of the revolu- and Castro in 1955 created a forum tion, Celia Sánchez, Vilma Espín, that allowed women to be more in- Haydee Santamaría and Melba tegral in the revolutionary process. Hernández, have provided the Cas- Women who were under Castro’s tro regime with the groundwork leadership prior to 1955 portrayed from Moncada to the Sierra to Ha- more traditional roles in the rebel vana for a successful forty eight year group, as stated in the testimony of reign over US Imperialism. Haydee Santamaría in chapter one. However, Celia Sánchez started her Bibliography peasant rebel group with women actively involved in all aspects of the Haney, Richard. (2005). Celia Sanchez. The process, from guerrilla rebels to mes- Legend of Cuba’s Revolutionary Heart . New York, Algora Publishing. sengers. The integral role portrayed by women during the insurrection Mathews, Herbert L. (1975). Revolution in years lead to the continued role of Cuba: an essay in understanding . New women in leadership positions and York, Charles Scribner’s Sons. the continued mobilization of the

184 Cuban Revolutionary Women Aleia Guitan Enero-junio / Julio-diciembre de 2011 Temas de nuestra américa N.° 50 EDICIÓN ESPECIAL CONMEMORATIVA ISSN 0259-2239

Padula, Alfred and Smith, Lois M. (1996). Sex Santamaria, Celia. (2005). Haydee habla del and Revolution: Women in Socialist Cuba Moncada. New York, Ocean Press. New York, Oxford University Press, Inc. Shnookal, Deborah. (1991). Cuban women con- Perez-Stable, Marifeli. (1994). The Cuban revo- front the future . Australia, Ocean Press. lution: origins, course, and legacy . New York, Oxford University Press, Inc. Staten, Clifford (2003). The History of Cuba . USA: Palgrave McMillan Press. Randall, Margaret. (1974). Cuban Women Now. Interviews with Cuban Women. Stone, Elizabeth. (1981). Women and the Toronto, Women’s Press Publications. Cuban Revolution . New York, Path- ﬁnder Press. Randall, Margaret. (1981). Women in Cuba: Twenty Years Later. New York, Smyr- na Press.

Cuban Revolutionary Women 185 Aleia Guitan