The Mariana Grajales Women's Platoon ( es, El pelotón Mariana Grajales), or , was an all-female military platoon created by

Fidel Castro Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (; ; 13 August 1926 – 25 November 2016) was a Cuban revolutionary and politician who was the leader of Cuba from 1959 to 2008, serving as the prime minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and president from 1976 to 200 ...

, Celia Sánchez, and

Haydée Santamaría Haydée Santamaría Cuadrado (December 30, 1922 – July 28, 1980) was a Cuban revolutionary and politician, regarded as a heroine in post-revolutionary Cuba. She participated in the assault on Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba on July 26, 195 ...

during the

26th of July Movement The 26th of July Movement ( es, Movimiento 26 de Julio; M-26-7) was a Cuban vanguard revolutionary organization and later a political party led by Fidel Castro. The movement's name commemorates its 26 July 1953 attack on the army barracks on San ...

on 4 September 1958, named after the Cuban icon Mariana Grajales Cuello who served in the

Cuban War of Independence The Cuban War of Independence (), fought from 1895 to 1898, was the last of three liberation wars that Cuba fought against Spain, the other two being the Ten Years' War (1868–1878) and the Little War (1879–1880). The final three months ...

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. Isabel Rielo was selected to lead the platoon as the result of a shooting test. It is estimated by several accounts that women only made up about 5% of the total rebel forces during the

Cuban Revolution The Cuban Revolution ( es, Revolución Cubana) was carried out after the 1952 Cuban coup d'état which placed Fulgencio Batista as head of state and the failed mass strike in opposition that followed. After failing to contest Batista in cou ...

. So the Mariana Grajales Platoon, which was composed of 13 young women, was a unique component of the revolutionary army. The platoon was essential in the rebels' 28 September 1958 victory over the

Batista Batista is a Spanish language, Spanish or Portuguese language, Portuguese surname. Notable persons with the name include: * Batista (footballer, born 1955), Brazilian football player * Dave Bautista, American actor and professional wrestler, also ...

forces at Cerro Pelado (near modern-day Bartolomé Masó) after a three-day battle. Members of the platoon used

M1 carbine The M1 carbine (formally the United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1) is a lightweight semi-automatic carbine that was a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The M1 carbine was produced ...

s as their weapon of choice. Following victory in January 1959, the members of the platoon worked to build schools in the mountainous portion of eastern Cuba. 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. In attendance were

Vilma Espín Vilma Lucila Espín Guillois (7 April 1930 – 18 June 2007) was a Cuban revolutionary, feminist, and chemical engineer. She helped supply and organize the 26th of July Movement as an underground spy, and took an active role in many branches ...

, president of the

Federation of Cuban Women The Federation of Cuban Women ( es, italic=no, Federación de Mujeres Cubanas) (FMC) was established in 1960 under the revolutionary government with Vilma Espín as its president. Espin fought in the Sierra Maestras with Fidel Castro and Raul Cas ...

Nguyễn Thị Định Madame Nguyễn Thị Định (15 March 1920 – 26 August 1992) was the first female general of the Vietnam People's Army during the Vietnam War and the first female Vice President of Vietnam. Her role in the war was as National Liberation Fro ...

, then-Vice President of Vietnam and member of the

Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (Vietnamese: ''Ban Chấp hành Trung ương Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam'') is the highest decision-making body of the party between convocations of the National Congress. History The C ...

, and Corps General Julio Casas Regueiro of the

Revolutionary Armed Forces A revolutionary is a person who either participates in, or advocates a revolution. The term ''revolutionary'' can also be used as an adjective, to refer to something that has a major, sudden impact on society or on some aspect of human endeavor. ...

Members

* 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

References

{{Reflist

History

Members

See also

References

Further reading