Women's History month - Honoring Maria Teresa Mirabal

By Keshawn Mclarence

Maria Teresa Mirabal is a Dominican born into a wealthy farming family in the Dominican Republic and the youngest of four sisters. During her time in DR, Rafael Trujillo unfairly took over the presidency after rigging the election and ruled for over 30 years. As a summary of Trujillo’s dictatorship, he punished anyone who stood in his way and caused a devastating event called the “Parsley Massacre” which led to the death of many Haitians and Dominicans of Haitians’ descendants. Due to the Injustices by Trujillo, Maria and her other two sisters, Minerva and Patria, join the resistance group( “14th of June Movement” ) to stand up against and retaliate. After the death of the Mirabal Sisters, they were seen as martyrs of the revolutionary cause and symbolized democratic and feminist resistance. Julia Alvarez created a book called “In the Time of the Butterflies” which focused on the story of the Mirabel sisters fighting against Trujillo. Lastly, The United Nations even created a day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on the same day when they were murdered.

She and her sisters are seen as symbols of powerful feminism and desire for liberation across the world.

Some results in the wake of her death:

• The Mirabal sisters were seen as martyrs to the revolutionary cause

• “Since 1999, the United Nations has internationally recognized the anniversary of the murders(Mirabal Sisters) as the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. “

• A book named “In the Time of the Butterflies” was written by Julia Alvarez about the Mirabel sisters fighting against Rafael Trujillo

• They were symbolized as Democratic and feminist resistance

Some Key accomplishments of Maria Theresa:

Formed the “14th of June Movement” (MJD) A non-violent resistance movement