The Legacy of the Mirabal Sisters: A Global Symbol Against Violence

The United Nations has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This date honors the lives and activism of the Mirabal sisters, four women from the Dominican Republic. Patria, Minerva, María Teresa, and Dedé Mirabal openly opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. They were known by the code name "Las Mariposas," or "The Butterflies." In 1960, the regime murdered three of the sisters—Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa. Their deaths shocked the nation and turned them into enduring symbols of resistance. The UN established the annual day in their memory. The Mirabal sisters' story continues to inspire the global fight for a world free from violence against women.