Contributions of Mariana Grajales to Rural Nursing in Cuba

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The origins of formal nursing by Cuban women are deeply rooted in the 19th-century wars for independence. This is powerfully exemplified by the figure of Mariana Grajales Coello, honored as the mother of the Nation, whose work as a revolutionary Mambí nurse laid crucial foundations for rural healthcare.

Objective: To describe the principal contributions of Mariana Grajales to the emergence and ethos of rural nursing in Cuba.

Methods: This descriptive study analyzed the life and values of Mariana Grajales through theoretical methods including documentary analysis, historical-logical analysis, and systematization. Data was gathered from a review of scientific journals, academic databases, and materials published in official media.

Development: The investigation facilitated the organization and synthesis of previously fragmented historical data concerning Grajales. The analysis focused specifically on her conduct and practice as a healthcare provider within the Liberation Army, highlighting the ethical and humanistic principles that guided her work in challenging rural and battlefield conditions.

Conclusions: Mariana Grajales emerges from the history of Cuba’s independence struggles not only as a paramount symbol of patriotism and resilience but also as a pioneering nurse. Her extensive, principled service in providing healthcare to the Mambí army established an enduring ethical and professional paradigm, solidifying her status as a foundational role model for Cuban nursing, particularly within a rural and community-focused context.