The Mirabal sisters, also known as “The Butterflies,” was an activist group of sisters who fought valiantly for justice and freedom during the regime of the dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo in the Dominican Republic.  The Mirabal sisters were three sisters, Patria Mercedes Mirabal Reyes (1924-1960), Belgica Adela “Dedé ” Mirabal Reyes (1925-2014), Maria Argentina Minerva Mirabal Reyes (1926-1960) and Antonia Maria Teresa Mirabal Reyes (1935-1960). They were born into a middle-class environment in the province of Salcedo in the central Cibao region of the Dominican Republic. Although there were four sisters, only three – Patria, Minerva, and Maria – fought actively.  

While growing up, their parents, Enrique and Mercedes Mirabal, always counseled them to seek all the education they desired, even if they were going to become housewives anyways. The girls, at a young age, were all sent to a Catholic boarding school. Patria, the oldest, had the idea of becoming a nun. Dedé became a housewife and was not at all involved in the political work. Minerva went on to study law but was denied her license at the point of graduation by Trujillo. Maria, the youngest, studied mathematics. Since these women were educated and were taught to be mindful, they grew up to be very thoughtful and to have opinions about the society they lived in.

The Mirabal family’s first encounter with Trujillo was at a party which they were invited to with by the dictator. Upon seeing the family, Trujillo had an eye for Minerva. Upon his request, Trujillo had the opportunity to dance and speak with Minerva at this party. However, Trujillo offered some proposals and advances for Minerva. Minerva, not in agreement, obviously declined his offer. Trujillo was infuriated that he arrested Don Enrique (The Mirabal sisters’ father) and took him to Fortaleza Ozama in Ciudad Trujillo, modern-day Santo Domingo. The following day, Trujillo arrested Doña Chea (their mother) and Minerva’s friends. The Trujillo regime soon persecuting the Mirabal family. This stress and fear, sadly, lead to the death of the Enrique Mirabal, their father, on December 14th, 1953.

“We cannot allow our children to grow up in this corrupt and tyrannical regime, we have to fight against it, and I am willing to give up everything, including my life if necessary.”

Minerva, In the Time of the Butterflies, page. 13

The Mirabal Sisters helped to organize and grow an underground movement to challenge the regime. The sisters helped to form a group called al Movimiento 14 de Junio (the Movement of the 14th of June). The Mirabal Sisters were constantly being arrested for their rebellious activities. They held secret meetings to plot revolts against the dictator and to find ways to overthrow him. As attempts to get the sisters to stop, Trujillo imprisoned Minerva’s and Maria Teresa’s husbands, Manolo Tavares and Leandro Guzman. Unfortunately, on a visit to see their husbands in prison on November 26^th,1960, the three sisters along with their driver were murdered. The deaths of these women outraged the public and created more anger and motivation for the public to fight back the dictatorship. Their deaths caused more anger than the innocent deaths of thousands of others.

After their deaths, the Butterflies became symbols of democratic and feminist resistance. Due to the violence and abuse these women received, they were recognized by the United Nations. The United Nations made their death date the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Dedé, who was not involved in their work, survived, and nurtured all of her sisters’ children. Dedé felt like she had a duty to carry on her sisters’ legacy and felt that that was the reason for why she stayed alive. She preserved their memories by honoring a museum in their home province of Salcedo. Dedé died of natural causes in 2014.

In their honor, there was also a book written in 1994 called “In the Time of Butterflies,” by the Julia Alvarez, which was later adapted into a movie, starring Salma Hayek.

These women are remarkable, admirable, courageous women who gave up their lives, who sacrificed the opportunities to see their children grow, and who wanted to fight not only for the present, but the future.

by Krystal Reynoso

Works Cited

• “.” Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. . Encyclopedia.com. 19 Feb. 2021 .” Encyclopedia.com, Encyclopedia.com, 23 Feb. 2021, https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/mirabal-sisters
• Alvarez, Julia. In The Time Of The Butterflies. 1st ed., Algonquin Books of Chapel, 2010.
• “Las Hermanas Mirabal / The Mirabal Sisters And Their Fight For Freedom.” Guide to the Colonial Zone and Dominican Republic, 2 Feb. 2021, www.colonialzone-dr.com/hermanas-mirabal.
• “Mirabal Sisters.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Feb. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabal_sisters.
• “The Mirabal Sisters Home Museum – La Casa Museo Hermanas Mirabal.” Guide to the Colonial Zone and Dominican Republic, 26 July 2018, www.colonialzone-dr.com/mirabal-museum.
• “The Mirabal Sisters: 100 Women of the Year.” Time, Time, 5 Mar. 2020, time.com/5793594/mirabal-sisters-100-women-of-the-year/.
• Wikipedia contributors. In the Time of the Butterflies Wikipedia, 14 Jan. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Time_of_the_Butterflies.
• Wikipedia contributors. “In the Time of the Butterflies (Film).” Wikipedia, 5 Dec. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Time_of_the_Butterflies_(film).