“Generation after generation, Cuban women have stood out for their steadfastness and dedication to the cause of the Revolution. Fidel always trusted in their fighting ability, discipline, and courage,” he wrote on the social network X.

Mariana Grajales Women’s Combat Platoon emerged after a meeting of the Rebel Army General Staff, in the midst of the final strategic counteroffensive of the liberation movement, already deployed throughout Cuba starting in the Sierra Maestra.

It had the privilege of being born when, as a harbinger of what would come later, modular changes were beginning to occur on the island. Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz had to confront sexist prejudices among several members of the leadership when creating the female combat force.

The platoon now known as Las Marianas was formed on the front line of combat by its commander, Isabel Rielo Rodriguez; the second-in-command, Delsa Esther Puebla Viltres (Tete), Olga Esther Guevara (Olguita), Angela Antolin Escalona (Angelina), Edemis Tamayo Nunez (La Gallega), Orosia Soto Sardina, Flor Celeste Perez Chavez, and Eva Rodriguez Palma.

Also included were Lilia Rielo Rodriguez, Isabel’s sister; Rita Garcia Reyes; Juana Bautista Pena Pena; Ada Bella Acosta Pompa; and Norma Rosa Ferrer Benitez. All very young, peasant women from various regions of southeastern Cuba, who served as teachers, nurses, messengers, and logistics workers upon joining the troops.

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