Santamaría, Haydée (1922–1980)
Santamaría, Haydée (1922–1980)
Cuban political activist and promoter of the arts. Name variations: Haydée Santamaria Cuadrado, Haydee Santamaria; (alias) María. Born Haydée Santamaria Cuadrado, Dec 30, 1922, in Encrucijada, Cuba; died July 26, 1980, in Cuba; sister of Abel Santamaría (Cuban revolutionary, died 1953); m. Armando Hart; children: 2.
As a revolutionary, helped depose Batista (1952–59); held several political posts in Castro government and traveled throughout Communist bloc for conferences and official business; became key cultural administrator, promoting Caribbean and Latin American culture and intercultural exchange, as founding director of Casa de las Américas; published the journal Casa de las Américas, as well as thousands of books by some of Latin America's best writers (1959–80); developed theater and music departments as well as centers of research, such as Center for Caribbean Studies (1979); committed suicide (July 26, 1980), on the anniversary of the revolutionary 26th of July Movement, a day of national celebration.