Born: 1879 (Arecibo, Puerto Rico)
Died: 1922
Biography:
Luisa Capetillo was born on October 28, 1879, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. She was the daughter of Luis Capetillo Echevarría, a Spanish man from the Basque country, and Luisa Margarito Perone, a Corsican immigrant. Raised in a household that embraced liberal ideologies, Capetillo’s parents played a significant role in shaping her beliefs and principles.
In 1898, at the age of 19, Capetillo became a mother for the first time, having a child out of wedlock. This experience marked a turning point in her life and led her to seek employment. She found work as a reader in a cigar-making factory in Arecibo. It was in this factory that she first encountered labor unions, witnessing the struggles and injustices faced by the workers.
Inspired by the plight of the workers, Capetillo began writing essays in 1904. Her essays, titled Mi Opinión (My Opinion), were published in radical and union newspapers. In these writings, she advocated for workers’ rights, women’s rights, free love, and human emancipation. Capetillo firmly believed in the power of education and knowledge, and she used her voice to spread awareness and inspire change.
One of Capetillo’s most significant contributions to women’s history was her fight for social equality. In her book Mi Opinion, she urged women to take a stand and fight for their rights, saying, Oh you woman! who is capable and willing to spread the seed of justice; do not hesitate, do not fret, do not run away, go forward! Capetillo challenged traditional gender roles and advocated for women to break free from societal constraints.
Capetillo’s parents, personal experiences, and the literature she surrounded herself with greatly influenced her beliefs. Both of her parents shared ideals related to Romanticism, and her mother, being of French descent, believed in women defending their ideals and acting according to themselves. Capetillo was inspired by George Sands’ belief in the liberated woman who could be politically and personally revolutionary, opposing marriage and social contracts that regulated human relationships.
Luisa Capetillo dedicated her life to fighting for social justice and equality. She played a pivotal role in the labor movement of Puerto Rico, advocating for the rights of workers and challenging the societal norms imposed on women. Her activism and writings inspired many to question the existing power structures and strive for a fairer society.
Unfortunately, Luisa Capetillo’s life was cut short. She passed away on April 10, 1922, but her legacy lived on. Her contributions to women’s rights, workers’ rights, and social justice continue to inspire activists and advocates to this day. Through her fearless and unwavering determination, Capetillo made a lasting impact on Puerto Rico’s history and remains an important figure in the fight for equality.