BWH: The Mirabal Sisters "The Butterflies"

Summary

The Mirabal sisters, known as 'Las Mariposas,' were Dominican revolutionaries who opposed Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship. Born into a farming family, they engaged in clandestine activities, advocating for democracy and civil liberties. Despite facing imprisonment and torture, they persisted in their fight. Tragically assassinated in 1960, their legacy inspired the nation and the United Nations designated November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in their honor.

Takeaways

• 🦋 The Mirabal sisters, known as 'Las Mariposas' (The Butterflies), became symbols of resistance against Trujillo’s dictatorship in the Dominican Republic.
• 🗓️ The sisters were murdered on November 25, 1960, which turned them into icons of feminist and popular resistance.
• 🌾 They were born into a farming family and raised in a middle-class environment, with each sister contributing to the anti-Trujillo movement in different ways.
• 👩‍⚖️ Minerva Mirabal, a law student, was denied a license to practice because she rejected Trujillo’s romantic advances, and she became a central figure in the political movement.
• 📚 Maria Teresa Mirabal, the youngest sister, studied mathematics and was inspired by Minerva’s political views, eventually joining the resistance.
• ✊ The sisters formed a group called 'The Movement of the 14th of June' to oppose Trujillo, distributing pamphlets and gathering resources for a revolution.
• 🕊️ Despite being imprisoned, the sisters were freed due to international pressure, though their husbands remained incarcerated.
• 🚗 On November 25, 1960, the sisters were murdered on their way back from visiting their husbands in prison, and their deaths were made to look like an accident.
• 📅 In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in honor of the Mirabal sisters.
• 📖 Dede, the surviving sister, dedicated her life to preserving her sisters' legacy and established the Mirabal Sisters Foundation and Museum.

Q & A

Who were the Mirabal sisters, and why were they significant?

The Mirabal sisters, also known as Las Mariposas (The Butterflies), were symbols of resistance against the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. Their opposition and eventual assassination in 1960 turned them into icons of both popular and feminist resistance.

What was the political climate in the Dominican Republic during the time of the Mirabal sisters?

The Dominican Republic was under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, who ruled from 1930 to 1938 and again from 1942 to 1952. His regime was marked by repression, censorship, and violence against those who opposed his rule.

How did Patria Mirabal express her resistance to Trujillo's regime?

Patria Mirabal, the oldest sister, was deeply opposed to Trujillo's dictatorship and joined the resistance movement. She once stated, 'We cannot allow our children to grow up in this corrupt and tyrannical regime. We have to fight against it, and I am willing to give up everything, even my life if necessary.'

Why was Minerva Mirabal denied a license to practice law?

Minerva Mirabal was denied a license to practice law because she had rejected Trujillo's romantic advances in 1949. This personal conflict with Trujillo deepened her involvement in the political movement against his regime.

What was the involvement of the Mirabal sisters' husbands in the resistance movement?

The husbands of the Mirabal sisters, particularly Minerva's husband Manolo Tavárez and María Teresa's husband Leandro Guzmán, were actively involved in the resistance movement against Trujillo. They were imprisoned for their involvement in underground activities.

What was the Movement of the 14th of June, and why was it significant?

The Movement of the 14th of June was a resistance group formed by the Mirabal sisters, named after a massacre they witnessed. This group opposed Trujillo's regime, distributing pamphlets and collecting materials for an eventual revolt.

What happened to the Mirabal sisters on November 25, 1960?

On November 25, 1960, the Mirabal sisters, along with their driver Rufino de la Cruz, were stopped by Trujillo's henchmen while returning from visiting their imprisoned husbands. They were clubbed to death, and their bodies were staged to make it look like a car accident.

What was the international reaction to the assassination of the Mirabal sisters?

The assassination of the Mirabal sisters sparked international outrage. The Organization of American States condemned Trujillo's regime and sent observers, contributing to the growing opposition to his dictatorship.

How has the legacy of the Mirabal sisters been honored over time?

The Mirabal sisters have been recognized as national martyrs in the Dominican Republic, with a museum in their honor and their belongings exhibited at the National Museum of History. In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in their memory.

What role did Dedé Mirabal play after her sisters' deaths?

Dedé Mirabal, the surviving sister, dedicated her life to preserving the legacy of her sisters. She raised their children, created the Mirabal Sisters Foundation in 1992, opened the Mirabal Museum in 1994, and published a book about their lives. She passed away in 2014.