From 1930 to 1961, the Dominican Republic was under the harsh rule of Rafael Trujillo. His dictatorship was marked by the imprisonment, torture, and murder of thousands of people. However, three brave sisters dared to stand up against him, leading an underground revolution that inspired many but ultimately led to their tragic deaths.
Rafael Trujillo climbed the military ranks during the United States’ occupation of the Dominican Republic. He seized power in 1930 through a coup and a rigged election, setting up a regime that benefited him and his allies. Trujillo’s family controlled much of the country’s economy, including monopolies on essential goods and media. He even renamed the capital after himself and demanded that his portrait be displayed in every home. His regime was notorious for its brutality, including the massacre of thousands of Haitians, while a secret police force targeted his opponents both locally and abroad.
The Mirabal sisters—Patria, Dedé, Minerva, and María Teresa—grew up in a middle-class family in the countryside. Their parents sent them to one of the best boarding schools in the country. It was there that Minerva met a classmate whose relative had been killed by Trujillo’s orders, sparking her interest in fighting oppression and seeking justice. While Dedé chose to stay out of politics, Minerva, Patria, and María Teresa became deeply involved in efforts to change their country.
The Mirabal family’s safe position soon crumbled. In 1949, they were invited to one of Trujillo’s parties, which he used to prey on young women. Declining the invitation was not an option. Minerva tried to avoid Trujillo but ended up dancing with him and rejecting his advances. Leaving the party early was seen as an insult to the dictator, leading to their father’s imprisonment and the confiscation of family property.
Despite these challenges, Minerva graduated with top honors as one of the first women in the country to earn a law degree, although Trujillo denied her the right to practice law. During her studies, she met Manolo Tavárez Justo, who shared her political beliefs, and they married in 1955. Inspired by revolutions across Latin America, they began planning their own uprising after Trujillo crushed an attempted coup in 1959.
The Mirabal sisters and their husbands founded the June 14th movement, codenamed Las Mariposas, or the Butterflies. They organized secret meetings and distributed pamphlets exposing Trujillo’s crimes. In January 1960, they gathered representatives from across the country to establish the movement’s structure and prepare for a rebellion. However, Trujillo’s spies were everywhere, and many revolutionaries, including Minerva and María Teresa, were soon arrested. During this time, Patria found creative ways to communicate with imprisoned rebels.
Fearing the loss of support from the U.S. and the Church, which had begun to criticize him, Trujillo released the sisters but kept their husbands imprisoned. Despite this, the sisters continued to pose a threat to his regime. On November 25th, as they were returning from visiting their husbands in prison, Trujillo’s men stopped their car. The sisters and their driver were brutally murdered, and their car was pushed off a hill to make it look like an accident. Patria was 36, Minerva was 33, and María Teresa was 25.
Trujillo’s attempt to silence the Mirabal sisters backfired. The public saw through the cover-up, and the international community condemned the murders. The U.S. closed its Dominican embassy and secretly supported the anti-Trujillo movement. Just months later, former members of the Dominican military assassinated the dictator, ending his violent rule.
Thanks to their family, especially their surviving sister Dedé, the legacy of the Mirabal sisters lives on. Today, they are celebrated as national heroes, with monuments and honors commemorating their struggle. In 1999, the United Nations declared November 25th, the anniversary of their deaths, as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Their courageous fight for justice continues to inspire people around the world.
Research the key events in the lives of the Mirabal sisters and the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. Create a detailed timeline that includes significant dates and events. Use visuals and brief descriptions to make your timeline engaging. This will help you understand the sequence of events and the impact of the sisters’ actions.
Divide into groups and conduct a debate where each group represents different perspectives: the Mirabal sisters, Trujillo’s regime, and the international community. Prepare arguments based on historical facts and present your case. This activity will help you explore the motivations and challenges faced by each group.
Write a series of fictional letters or diary entries from the perspective of one of the Mirabal sisters. Express their thoughts, fears, and hopes during their struggle against Trujillo’s regime. This exercise will deepen your empathy and understanding of their personal experiences.
Watch a documentary about the Mirabal sisters and the Trujillo dictatorship. After the screening, participate in a guided discussion to analyze the film’s portrayal of historical events and its accuracy. This will enhance your critical thinking and media literacy skills.
Create an art piece that symbolizes the courage and legacy of the Mirabal sisters. Use any medium you prefer, such as painting, sculpture, or digital art. Present your artwork to the class and explain the symbolism behind your creation. This activity encourages creativity and personal expression.
From 1930 to 1961, thousands of people were imprisoned, tortured, and murdered under Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. Three sisters would go on to lead an underground revolution. Their courage inspired many, but it also threatened the man in power, leading to a tragic early end for their lives.
Trujillo rose through the military ranks during the United States’ occupation of the Dominican Republic. He assumed power in 1930 through a coup and a rigged election, creating a system that enriched himself and his allies. Trujillo’s family controlled a significant portion of the country’s economy, including monopolies over essential goods and media. He renamed the country’s capital after himself and expected his portrait to be displayed in every household. His regime committed numerous atrocities, including the massacre of thousands of Haitians, while a secret police force maintained his power by targeting opponents at home and abroad.
The Mirabal sisters grew up in a middle-class family in the countryside. Their parents sent the four sisters—Patria, Dedé, Minerva, and María Teresa—to one of the country’s best boarding schools. There, Minerva met a classmate whose relative was killed on Trujillo’s orders, which sparked her interest in issues of oppression and justice. While Dedé stayed out of politics, Minerva, Patria, and María Teresa became invested in changing their country.
However, the Mirabal family’s safe standing soon collapsed. In 1949, they were invited to one of Trujillo’s parties, which served as his personal hunting grounds for young women. Declining the invitation was not an option. Despite Minerva’s attempts to avoid him, she eventually danced with Trujillo but rejected his advances. The family left the party early, which was considered disrespectful to the dictator. As a result, their father was imprisoned, and family property was confiscated.
Minerva graduated with highest honors as one of the first women in the country to receive a law degree, but she was denied state authorization to practice—a process overseen by Trujillo. While studying, Minerva met Manolo Tavárez Justo, who shared her political convictions, and they married in 1955. They watched as armed revolutions launched throughout Latin America. After Trujillo crushed an attempt to overthrow him in 1959, they began to prepare a revolution of their own.
The Mirabal sisters and their husbands formed the June 14th movement, codenamed Las Mariposas, or the Butterflies. The three sisters organized clandestine meetings and distributed pamphlets detailing Trujillo’s violations. In January of 1960, they gathered representatives from across the country to establish the movement’s structure and prepare for an uprising. However, Trujillo had spies everywhere, and many revolutionaries, including Minerva and María Teresa, were soon arrested. During this time, Patria found creative ways to transmit information to and from imprisoned rebels.
Fearing the loss of support from the U.S. and the Church, which had begun to criticize him, Trujillo released the sisters while leaving their husbands imprisoned. However, they continued to threaten his regime’s stability. On November 25th, as the three sisters were returning from visiting their imprisoned husbands, Trujillo’s men stopped their car. The sisters, along with their driver, were asphyxiated and beaten to death. The men rolled the vehicle off a hill to frame the murder as an accident. Patria was 36, Minerva was 33, and María Teresa was 25.
Trujillo’s plan to silence the Mirabal sisters backfired. Much of the public wasn’t fooled by the cover-up, and the international community condemned the assassination. The U.S. closed its Dominican embassy and secretly invested in the anti-Trujillo movement. Months later, former members of the Dominican military killed the dictator, bringing his violent reign to an end.
Thanks to their family, especially their surviving sister, Dedé, the legacy of the Mirabal sisters would surpass the clutches of Trujillo’s tyranny long after their deaths. Today, the Mirabal sisters are national heroes, with monuments and honors commemorating their struggle. In 1999, the United Nations declared November 25th, the anniversary of their deaths, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Their courageous fight for justice has inspired generations.
Trujillo – Rafael Trujillo was a Dominican dictator who ruled the Dominican Republic from 1930 until his assassination in 1961, known for his oppressive regime and human rights abuses. – During Trujillo’s rule, many Dominicans lived in fear due to his authoritarian policies and widespread surveillance.
Sisters – Referring to the Mirabal sisters, who were political activists in the Dominican Republic and symbols of resistance against Trujillo’s dictatorship. – The bravery of the Mirabal sisters inspired many to join the fight against the oppressive regime in the Dominican Republic.
Revolution – A fundamental change in political power or organizational structures, often achieved through social movements or uprisings. – The French Revolution was a pivotal event that drastically altered the political landscape of France and influenced global history.
Oppression – The systematic and unjust treatment or control of people, often by a government or ruling authority. – Throughout history, many societies have risen against oppression to demand equality and freedom.
Justice – The principle of fairness and the ideal of moral equity, often pursued through legal systems and social reforms. – The civil rights movement in the United States sought justice for African Americans through legal and social change.
Movement – A collective effort by a group of people to achieve a political, social, or cultural goal. – The women’s suffrage movement was instrumental in securing voting rights for women in many countries.
Butterflies – A symbol of transformation and freedom, often associated with the Mirabal sisters, who were nicknamed “Las Mariposas” (The Butterflies) for their role in opposing Trujillo’s regime. – The legacy of the Butterflies continues to inspire those who fight for justice and human rights.
Murders – The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another, often used in historical contexts to describe political assassinations. – The murders of the Mirabal sisters became a catalyst for change and increased opposition to Trujillo’s dictatorship.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to the lasting impact of an individual’s actions or a historical event. – The legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. is evident in the ongoing fight for civil rights and equality.
Violence – The use of physical force to harm someone, to damage property, or to coerce action, often seen in historical conflicts and revolutions. – The violence of the French Revolution highlighted the deep social and economic divides within the country.
