Felisa Rincón de Gautier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Felisa Rincón de Gautier
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| Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| In office January 2, 1947 – January 2, 1969 |
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| Preceded by | Roberto Sánchez Vilella |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Romero Barceló |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Felisa Rincón Marrero
January 9, 1897 Ceiba, Puerto Rico |
| Died | September 16, 1994 (aged 97) San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | Popular Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Genaro A. Gautier |
| Profession | Pharmacist |
Felisa Rincón de Gautier (born Felisa Rincón Marrero), also known as Doña Fela, was a very important leader. She was born on January 9, 1897, and passed away on September 16, 1994. She made history as the first woman to be elected mayor of a capital city in the Americas. This means she was the first woman to lead a major city like San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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Felisa Rincón de Gautier's Early Life
Felisa Rincón de Gautier was born on January 9, 1897, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. She was the oldest of many brothers and sisters. Her father, Enrique Rincón Plumey, was a lawyer and had a big influence on her political ideas. Her mother, Rita Marrero Rivera, was a teacher who passed away when Felisa was about 11 years old.
Even though her mother died, her father wanted Felisa to get the best education. She went to school in Fajardo, Humacao, and Santurce. She didn't finish high school, but she learned a lot. In the summers, she visited her uncle in San Lorenzo. There, she learned how to prepare medicines and became a pharmacist.
After her mother's death, Felisa took charge of the household. She helped raise her younger brothers and sisters. She also learned that people in Puerto Rico, especially the jíbaros (country folk), always helped each other. They would never let anyone go hungry.
Becoming a Businesswoman
Felisa was a skilled seamstress. She wanted to create jobs in Puerto Rico by starting a clothing factory. To learn what she needed, she worked for two years in New York City. This was during the Great Depression, a time when many people struggled to find work.
When she returned to San Juan, she started her own businesses. She opened "Felisa's Style Shop" in Old San Juan. She also managed a flower shop called "Miles de Flores." Throughout her life, she worked hard to improve the lives of people in Puerto Rico who were struggling.
Fighting for Women's Rights
Felisa Rincón de Gautier strongly believed that women should have the right to vote. She was very active in the suffrage movement. This movement worked to get women the right to vote. She encouraged many women to register to vote. When the law allowing women to vote was passed, Felisa was the fifth woman in Puerto Rico to officially register.
In 1932, she joined the Liberal Party of Puerto Rico. This party believed that Puerto Rico should be independent. The party's president, Antonio R. Barceló, named her as a representative. Later, she was inspired by the ideas of Luis Muñoz Marín. In 1938, she left the Liberal Party and helped create the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico.
Felisa Rincón de Gautier's Family Life
In 1940, Felisa Rincón de Gautier married Genaro A. Gautier. He was a lawyer in San Juan. He also worked as the Assistant Attorney General of Puerto Rico. He was also the Secretary General of the Popular Democratic Party. Felisa and Genaro did not have any children.
Leading San Juan as Mayor
In 1946, Felisa Rincón de Gautier was elected mayor of San Juan. This was a huge achievement. She became the first woman mayor of a capital city in all of the Americas. Under her leadership, San Juan changed a lot. It became a modern city in Latin America.
New Public Services and Programs
Mayor Rincón de Gautier created many new public services. She started the first preschool centers, called "Las Escuelas Maternales." These schools later became a model for the "Head Start" programs in the United States. She also improved the public health system. She helped establish the School of Medicine in San Juan.
Felisa worked with Ricardo Alegría to protect and restore the old buildings in Old San Juan. She also helped thousands of people get housing and basic services. During the Cold War in 1951, she set up the island's first Civil Defense system. This system helped protect people in emergencies.
Mayor Rincón de Gautier was known for being very open. She often welcomed people into City Hall. She would listen to their problems and concerns. In 1959, San Juan received the All American City Award because of her efforts.
A Special Christmas Tradition
Felisa Rincón de Gautier started a special Christmas tradition. This tradition is still continued by the governors of Puerto Rico today. On Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), which is celebrated on January 6, she would bring gifts and treats to poor children.
In 1952, 1953, and 1954, she even had airplanes bring loads of snow to San Juan. Many children in Puerto Rico had never seen or played in snow before. This was a wonderful gift for them.
Later Years and Legacy
Felisa Rincón de Gautier was the mayor of San Juan for 22 years. She served from 1946 to 1968. After she retired, she became an American Goodwill Ambassador. She worked for four different United States Presidents. She traveled to Latin America, Asia, and Europe. Her job was to promote friendship between these regions and the United States.
Felisa Rincón de Gautier passed away in San Juan on September 16, 1994, at the age of 97. She was given a special burial, like a head of state. Important people from all over the world attended her funeral. She was buried at the Capital Municipal Cemetery in Río Piedras.
Honors and Recognition
Many places in Puerto Rico and the United States are named after Felisa Rincón de Gautier. There is a Felisa Rincón de Gautier Museum in Old San Juan. A parking lot there is also named "Doña Fela." In New York City, the Felisa Rincón de Gautier Institute for Law & Public Policy in the Bronx is named after her. A public school (PS 376) in Brooklyn, New York also carries her name.
On May 29, 2014, the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico honored 12 amazing women. They placed plaques in "La Plaza en Honor a la Mujer Puertorriqueña" (Plaza in Honor of Puerto Rican Women) in San Juan. Felisa Rincón de Gautier was one of these honored women.
In 2019, MSNBC recognized Felisa Rincón de Gautier for her great political and humanitarian work. On March 14, 2019, the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) gave her the Distinguished Woman award. She also received awards from other countries, including France, Spain, and Ecuador.
Images for kids
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Felisa Rincón de Gautier
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Seal of San Juan, Puerto Rico
See also
In Spanish: Felisa Rincón de Gautier para niños
