Revolution and Opposition

The Mirabal sisters consisted of: Patria Mercedes Mirabal born on February 27, 1924, Minerva Argentina Mirabal, born on March 12, 1926, and Antonia Maria Teresa Mirabal born on October 15, 1935. The fourth sister, Belgica Adela Dede Mirabal-Reyes did not have an active role in the resistance against the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. The Mirabal sisters were known for their underground revolutionary movement against the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. They were known for always being united as one, being leaders, and standing up for their country's freedom. At a very young, the three sisters knew what they wanted to fight for. They sisters were tired of the constant humiliation, torture, and abuse the entire country received from Trujillo. This picture shows the Mirabal sisters all holding one stick, showing their unity and on their dresses are landmarks and different pictures of the Dominican Republic, which shows that the struggle of the whole country is in their hands.

Dede Mirabal

http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/history/info-03-2011/the-mirabal-sisters.html

The fourth and only surviving Mirabal sister, Belgica Adela Dede Mirabal Reyes, who was not involved in the underground movement against Trujillo, has now turned their childhood home into a museum. She has also created a foundation in the name of her three sister. In this video she discusses how she became the mother of the children from her other sisters, she raised them, and made sure they received an education. Dede also talks about how she has turned their childhood home into a museum so that everyone, especially kids, and see learn of how hard the Mirabal sisters fought for the freedom of the people in the Dominican Republic.

Rafael Leonidas Trujillo "El Jefe" (The Boss)

http://pedro-paradigma.blogspot.com/2010/12/carcel-la-40-era-de-trujillo-1930-1961.html

Rafael Leonidas Trujillo was dictator of the Dominican Republic from 1930-1961. Trujillo was in control of evert aspect of society in the Dominican Republic. He controlled the radio, the mail, the press, airport arrivals and departures, who got passports and who didn't, and who rose to power through the U.S.-supported National Guard. In other words, every movement had to be run through Trujillo. Anything that was said on radios, interviews, or newspapers would get reported to Trujillo and if he felt in any way disrespected or threatened, the person responsible who get arrested and sent to the prison created by Trujillo called "Carcel La Cuarenta." In this prison, men would get their tongues cut off, fingernails pulled off, and many other tortures acts. In the link provided above, shows some pictures of prisoners and equipment found in Trujillo's prison. Minerva Mirabal was herself imprisoned here for opposing Trujillo's demands. Trujillo was later assassinated by his own men after the assassination of the Mirabal sisters.

Honoring and Remembering The Mirabal Sisters

A picture of the Mirabal sisters was printed on the $200 peso bill in the Dominican Republic in 2007 to commemorate the leadership and heroic movements the sisters took in order to achieve freedom for society in the Dominican Republic. The Mirabal sisters not only empowered women nationally, but in many other Latin American countries as well. The Mirabal sisters have legitimized women's involvement in leadership in government and politics and in fighting for their freedom. November 25th is marked by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in honor of the Mirabal sisters.