Cité Danielle Casanova

“A Corsican firebrand in the heart of Paris?” That’s how some might describe Danielle Casanova. Right here, at Cité Danielle Casanova in Le Blanc-Mesnil, we honor a woman whose life was a whirlwind of activism and defiance. Cité Danielle Casanova isn’t just a collection of buildings. It’s a testament to a woman who dedicated her life to fighting injustice. Danielle Casanova, born Vincentella Périni in Ajaccio, Corsica, in 1909, arrived in Paris in 1927 to study dentistry. But her true passion lay in politics. She joined the Communist Party, rising through the ranks while also building her dental practice. Imagine Danielle, balancing the meticulous work of a dentist with the fiery speeches of a revolutionary. In 1936, she founded the Union of Young French Women, mobilizing young women against fascism. When World War II erupted, Danielle’s commitment intensified. She joined the French Resistance, working tirelessly to undermine the Nazi occupation. She distributed underground newspapers, organized demonstrations, and even personally escorted supplies to the Spanish Republic during their civil war. Her bravery came at a price. In 1942, she was arrested by the Gestapo. Imprisoned first in Paris, then Romainville, she was eventually deported to Auschwitz in 1943. Even within the horrors of Auschwitz, Danielle continued to resist. She used her dental skills to care for fellow prisoners, a small act of defiance in the face of unimaginable cruelty. Tragically, she succumbed to typhus on May 9, 1943. Cité Danielle Casanova stands as a reminder of her unwavering spirit, a tribute to a woman who fought for a better world, even when facing her own demise.