Paulina Ódena García

Paulina Ódena García (22 January 1911 – 14 September 1936), known as Lina Ódena, was a Spanish anti-fascist, communist, and miliciana. She participated in the Revolution of 1934 and was a combatant for the Republican faction during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939).

Early life Ódena was born on 22 January 1911 in Passatge Pellicer in Barcelona, Spain. Her parents, José and María Dolores, ran a tailors shop and she worked as an apprentice seamstress for her parents.

In May 1931, Ódena joined the Communist Party of Spain (, PCE) and was assigned to work for the Communist Youth of Catalonia (, JCC).

In August 1931, Ódena was sent by the Communist International (Comintern) to attend the International Lenin School in Moscow, Soviet Union for a year, with four other activists. At the International Lenin School, she met Spanish communists Jesús Hernández, Enrique Lister Forján and Juan Guilloto León. She was a member of the Association of Anti-Fascist Women (, AMA) and participated in the Revolution of 1934.

Spanish Civil War During the Spanish Civil War, Ódena was a leader of the anti-fascist resistance and fought on the front lines against Nationalist faction soldiers at Almería, Andalusia. She then established a headquarters in Guadix, Granada and organised a column for the capture of Granada as commandant.

On 14 September 1936, Ódena and her driver took a wrong turn while travelling to Deifontes and were met by members of the fascist Falangist group Falange Española at a checkpoint on the Jaen Highway. Ódena was aged 25 when she died. Her car was seized and was taken to the San Jerónimo barracks, the driver was arrested and her body was taken to Grenada. A square and plaque in Barcelona are dedicated to Ódena and she was featured on a postage stamp.