Cuban revolutionary and politician, Celia Sánchez Manduley (1920 – 1980) was one of Fidel Castro's closest collaborators, before the start of the revolution and until his death. She was the first female fighter in the rebel army, before becoming secretary of the presidency of the council of ministers.
Doctor's daughter
Daughter of Acacia Manduley and Manuel Sánchez Silveira, doctor, Celia Sánchez was born on May 9, 1920 in Media Luna , rural community of Oriente (eastern province of Cuba). She is one of the couple's nine children. Motherless in her youth, Celia grew up in the family home of Media Luna alongside her siblings.
With her father, Celia learned about politics and in particular the thought of José Martí, national hero of the struggle for Cuban independence. She also assists Manuel in his activities as a doctor; believing and committed, he treats all those who need it and Celia discovers firsthand the effects of poverty on patients.
The Cuban Revolution
After the Batista coup in 1952, Celia Sánchez joined revolutionary groups. She is one of the first women to take up arms. In 1956, she was responsible for organizing the landing of the group of guerrillas, including Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro, Camilo Cienfuegos and Ernesto "Che" Guevara, aboard the yacht Granma. After the landing, it organizes support and supplies to the revolutionaries in the Sierra Maestra. In this important episode of the beginnings of the Cuban revolution, Celia plays a crucial role.
Actively sought after by the Batista regime, Celia joined the refugee guerrillas in the Sierra Maestra in March 1957 and joined the Ejército Rebelde as a fighter. (the rebel army). She is the first woman to join the rebel army, plays the role of messenger and participates in the fighting. She initiated the creation of the women's platoon "Mariana Grajales", named after a Cuban separatist at the end of the 19th century.
“She was like that”
Teté Puebla, one of its members, talks about Celia in these terms:
“ (…) Celia —igual que en la Sierra—, apenas descansaba para estar siempre pendiente de todo. Ella era asi. No tension descanso. Estaba al tanto del último detalle de lo que necesitábamos las Marianas, los soldados del Ejército Rebelde, los niños que encontraba y, sobre todo, de lo que necesitaba Fidel . »
(Celia, as in the Sierra, hardly rested to always be aware of everything. She was like that. She did not rest. She was aware of everything that the Marianas, the rebel army soldiers needed , the children she met, and above all, what Fidel needed)
The new government
After the fall of Batista, Celia Sánchez dedicated herself to the creation of the new government and participated in many and varied country development projects:development of a brand of Cuban cigars, creation of nature reserves, literacy programs, official archives of the revolution…
In March 1962, Celia was appointed secretary of the Cuban council of ministers. Subsequently, she will also be minister of the presidency, member of the central committee of the Cuban Communist Party, secretary of the Council of State and deputy of the province of Granma.
Celia Sánchez died of lung cancer in Havana on January 11, 1980.