Celebrity Info
Patria Mirabal was one of three Dominican sisters who were tragically assassinated in November 1960 for their opposition to the authoritarian rule of Rafael Trujillo. Alongside her siblings—Minerva, María Teresa, and the youngest, Dede—Patria became a symbol of resistance against tyranny. While Patria and two of her sisters lost their lives on that fateful day, Dede, who was not with them at the time, survived and later dedicated her life to preserving their legacy by opening a museum in their honor.
Prior to becoming widely known, Patria had already been deeply affected by the brutalities of the regime. After witnessing a massacre orchestrated by Trujillo’s forces, she, along with her sisters, co-founded an underground movement known as the Fourteenth of June Movement, aimed at opposing the dictatorship. Her husband, like the husbands of her sisters Minerva and María Teresa, was imprisoned due to his involvement in political activism.
As the sisters were traveling to visit their incarcerated husbands, they were ambushed by government-backed assassins, leading to their untimely deaths. Patria’s courage and sacrifice, however, continue to inspire many to this day.
The Mirabal sisters became widely known for their courageous activism, both in secret and later in the open. It was during this time that the Mirabal sisters earned a special nickname—Las Mariposas, or “The Butterflies.” The name stuck, symbolizing transformation and hope, and to this day, the Mirabal sisters are remembered not just for their bravery, but for the powerful legacy they left behind as Las Mariposas.
39
United States
