Women’s History Month: Lolita Lebrón
In honor of Women’s History Month 2011, I’ve selected one woman to profile every day from March 1st - March 31st, 2011.
Lolita Lebrón: Activist for Puerto Rican independence
Before God and the world, my blood claims for the independence of Puerto Rico. My life I give for the freedom of my country. This is a cry for victory in our struggle for independence … The United States of America are betraying the sacred principles of mankind in their continuous subjugation of my country … I take responsible for all. — Lolita Lebrón, 1954
“We want everyone to know that in Puerto Rico, we women are fighting for our rights as workers, we are fighting for a healthy environment, for poor and marginalized communities, for the freedom of the political prisoners, the well being of children, for peace, for the defense of our culture and all the rights they intend to take from us. We want everyone to know that women in Puerto Rico support, demand and are fighting for the independence of Puerto Rico.” — Lolita Lebrón, International Women’s Day 2008
Lebrón was a member of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party and was a vocal activist for Puerto Rican independence. After the Ponce Massacre, she became radicalized and turned into a militant Puerto Rican nationalist. This radicalization culminated with the 1954 United States Capitol building shooting; she — along with Rafael Cancel Miranda, Irving Flores and Andrés Figueroa Cordero — began shooting into the House of Representatives, injuring five lawmakers. She was found guilty of assault with five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and served twenty-five years in prison (until Carter pardoned the group in 1979).
Lebrón remained dedicated to fighting for Puerto Rican sovereignty until her death several months back; there are articles below that discuss her post-prison activism.
Links: Wikipedia page
United States Capitol shooting incident (1954) [Wikipedia]
Puerto Rican Nationalist Party (Wikipedia)
Puerto Rican Independence Movement in the US (Wikipedia)
Puerto Rican Nationalist Party of New York
Requiem for the Puerto Rican Independence Movement
The Freedom Archives: Audio of Lolita Lebrón at 1954 attack
International Women’s Day, for independence of Puerto Rico (in Spanish)
Nation: We Have Nothing to Repent (Time Magazine piece discussing Lebron’s release)
FBI Files on Puerto Ricans (1950s)
A Terrorist in the House (WaPo Magazine piece from 2004)
Shots That Haunted 3 Generations; A Family’s Struggles in the Aftermath of an Attack on Congress
40 Years After Attacks, Time Has Softened Zeal
Fidel Fuels Fires of Vieques Quarrel
Puerto Rican nationalists predict low turnout
Obituaries/in memoriams:
Lolita Lebrón: a true patriot, a true sheroe, a true Puerto Rican
Reflections on the Passing of Lolita Lebrón
Immortal, Revolutionary to the end: Lolita Lebrón
Lolita Lebrón: An Unconquerable Revolutionary
Lolita Lebrón, jailed for gun attack at U.S. Capitol in 1954, dies at 90 (WaPo)
Lolita Lebrón (Time Magazine)
Remember Puerto Rican Activist Lolita Lebrón (NPR)
