By Xenia Balón de la Cuesta, translated from the Spanish
The heroine of the Sierra and the plains, a symbol of Cubanness and humanism, is always remembered. This January 11, 2025 marks the 45th anniversary of the death of Celia Sánchez Manduley, one of the most iconic figures of the Cuban Revolution.
That day in 1980, Celia dropped the flowers that adorned her hair, but her image lives on in our collective memory. As Armando Hart put it: "the most intimate and beloved fiber of the Cuban Revolution; the most endearing of our sisters. The most autochthonous flower of the Revolution."
Born on May 9, 1920 in Media Luna, present-day province of Granma, Celia stood out for her courage, tenacity and patriotic sensitivity. From her beginnings in the revolutionary movement led by Fidel Castro, she played a crucial role in the organization and logistics of the armed struggle against the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista.
Her work in the Sierra Maestra was fundamental, not only in the medical care of the guerrillas, but also in the creation of a support network in the cities.
Celia was a strong advocate for education and public health, actively participating in the implementation of policies that benefited communities most in need.
Her legacy extends beyond her lifetime, inspiring generations of Cubans to fight for a more just world.
The day of her death left a void in the hearts of those who admired her. Denial took hold of thousands who were reluctant to accept that Celia would no longer be among us. However, her spirit lives on in every act of love and dedication to the community. Her memory is found in the construction of decent homes, in the love of the doctor for their patient or in the sweat of those who work from dawn to dusk.
Celia Sánchez is remembered for her extraordinary sensitivity and concern for the needs of the people. She never forsook her connection with the population, and her work with Fidel was an example of commitment and closeness. In her memory, events and tributes are held that highlight her contribution to the history of Cuba and her role as a pioneer in the fight for gender equality.
To talk about her is to echo Martí, Fidel, Raúl, Camilo, Che, Vilma and the people, to whom she dedicated her life since she was almost a teenager. Her sense of organization and her ability to coordinate efforts were crucial at decisive moments of the Revolution.
On January 11, 1980, Celia Sánchez became a force of resistance; Her legacy was not an end, but the beginning of an inspiration that lives on. In this great house that is the Homeland, it occupies an unblemished place of honor, earned with work and humility.
This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC
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