!Vivan las Mariposas!

In many latin american countries, today is International Day Against Violence Towards Women. :) This day is help in memory of the Mirabal sisters who fought bravely against a vicious tyrant and in so doing have become models for women fighting against injustices of all kinds.

The 4 Mirabal sisters were born into a middle-class family in the Dominican Republic in the 1920s and 30s. Their education coincided with the rise of the cruel dictator, Rafael Trujillo. Minerva went on to study law although her rejection of Trujillos romantic advances kept her from being able to practice law.

All of the sisters eventually married and raised families. However, Minerva and her husband Manolo were highly involved in risky underground revolutionary activity in overthrowing Trujillo and before long Maria Teresa, Patria, their husbands and Patria's oldest son, Nelson were involved. Their activities led them to prison, torture chambers, and eventually death.

Dede survived. A sole sister left to tell the stories of her 3 sisters who helped undermind Trujillo's regime and in their martyrdom, became symbols of freedom and liberty. Their code names in the underground were Las Mariposas (The Butterflies) and they are still remembered and respected today.

Today, November 25, 2008 marks the 48th anniversary of the murder of the Maribal sisters. Here's to their memory. !Viva las Mariposas!

P.s. The book by Julia Alvarez is incredible and gives you the historical facts while leaving you with a sense that you were really able to get to know each sister individually.