Celia Sanchez
| Celia Sanchez | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
May 9, 1920 Media Luna, Cuba |
| Died | January 11, 1980 (aged 59) Cuba |
Celia Sánchez Manduley (May 8, 1920–January 11, 1980) was a Cuban revolutionary, politician, researcher and archivist. She was a close friend of Fidel Castro.
Sánchez was born in Media Luna,Oriente, Cuba.
Sánchez joined the struggle against the Batista government following the coup of March 10, 1952. She was the founder of the 26th of July Movement in Manzanillo. Together with Frank País, she was one of the first women to assemble a combat squad during the revolution. She made the necessary arrangements throughout the southwest coast region of Cuba for the Granma landing, and was responsible for organising reinforcements once the revolutionaries landed. In 1957, she joined the guerrillas and served as messenger. Celia placed small telegrams inside a Butterfly flower, so the messages would remain secret. As a member of the general staff of the Rebel Army she supplied Che Guevara and other rebels with weapons, occasionally food and medical supplies.
During the mid to late 1960s, René Vallejo, Castro's physician since 1958, and Sanchez became the Cuban leader's two closest companions. Sánchez was bestowed with the title of Secretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and served in the Department of Services of the Council of State until her death of lung cancer in 1980.
She archived many documents, letters and notes of the revolution, leading to the creation in 1964 of Oficina de Asuntos Históricos del Consejo de Estado, an institution for the preservation of historical documents.
Celia Sánchez died on 11 January 1980 during a time of political and economic unrest, but her legacy is embedded in the Cuban national identity.
Following the death of Celia Sánchez, Fidel Castro commemorated her life by proclaiming her symbolism to the Revolution. Castro stated in a speech outside of Hospital of Celia Sanchez Manduley dedicated to Celia Sanchez,
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