Isabel Freire de Matos facts for kids

Isabel Freire de Matos (born February 2, 1915 – died September 30, 2004) was an important Puerto Rican writer, teacher, and journalist. She also worked hard for Puerto Rico's independence. Isabel Freire de Matos wrote many children's books. She was married to Francisco Matos Paoli, who was a leader in the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party.

Isabel's Early Life and Education

Isabel Freire de Matos was born as Isabel Freire Meléndez in Cidra, Puerto Rico. She went to school there for her primary and secondary education. As a child, she loved reading children's books and poetry.

After high school, she studied at the University of Puerto Rico. She earned a degree in education. While at the university, she became interested in the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party. She also became a strong supporter of Puerto Rico's independence.

She continued her studies at the University of Puerto Rico. Later, she moved to Paris, France, for a year. There, she studied literature at the Sorbonne. In Paris, she met Francisco Matos Paoli. He also believed in Puerto Rican independence. They got married in 1942.

A Dedicated Educator

When Isabel returned to Puerto Rico, she started working as a teacher. She taught in both public and private schools. She even wrote a children's book with her husband. It was called El libro Isla para niños, which means The island book for children.

Isabel Freire de Matos used special teaching methods. She wanted her students to feel free and connected to nature. She hoped her methods would help students love learning. She also wanted them to develop all their talents.

Standing Up for Independence

In the 1950s, there were many protests in Puerto Rico. A law called the Ley de la Mordaza or "Gag Law" was passed in 1948. This law made it a crime to speak or write about Puerto Rican independence. It even made it illegal to show the Flag of Puerto Rico.

Isabel's husband, Francisco Matos Paoli, was a leader in the Nationalist Party. He gave speeches about independence. Because of the Gag Law, these speeches put him in danger.

In 1950, there were uprisings by Nationalists in several towns. On November 2, 1950, police searched Isabel and Francisco's home. They found a Puerto Rican flag. Under the Gag Law, this was enough to arrest Francisco. He was accused of going against the United States government. The police also used four speeches he had given as evidence.

Because of this, Francisco lost his job as a professor. He was sent to prison for a long time. While he was in jail, he wrote patriotic poems. Isabel helped to get these poems out of prison. She tried to publish them, even though it was risky because of the Gag Law.

Francisco was released from prison in 1952. But in 1954, he was arrested again. This happened after an attack on the U.S. House of Representatives by some Nationalists. Francisco was not involved in the attack, but many Nationalist Party members were arrested.

In 1954, Isabel Freire de Matos started a school called "Escuela Maternal Hostoniana." It was named after Eugenio María de Hostos, a famous Puerto Rican educator. Francisco was finally pardoned and released from jail in 1955.

A Prolific Author

Isabel Freire de Matos continued to teach and write throughout her life. She wrote many books, especially for children.

Her Written Works

Here are some of the books she wrote:

• La poesía en la escuela elemental (Poetry in elementary school), 1962
• Poesía menuda (Small poetry), 1965
• ABC de Puerto Rico (ABC of Puerto Rico), 1968
• La casita misteriosa y otros cuentos (The mysterious house and other stories), 1979
• La brujita encantada y otros cuentos (The enchanted little witch and other stories), 1979
• Juego para los dedos (A finger game), 1980
• Isla para los niños (An island for children), 1981
• Eugenio María de Hostos para la juventud (Eugenio María de Hostos for the young), 1989
• Ritmos de tierra y mar (Rhythms of the earth and sea), 1992
• La poesía y el niño (Poetry and children), 1993
• El teatro y el niño (Theatre and children), 1995
• El pajarito feliz (The happy little bird), 1996
• Los derechos del niño (The rights of children), 1996
• El cuento y el niño (Story telling and children), 1997
• Liza en el parque de las palomas (Liza in the Park of the pigeons), 2000

Later Years and Legacy

In 1968, Isabel Freire de Matos helped write "ABC de Puerto Rico." This book is used in elementary schools in Puerto Rico. She also helped with a modern math book for elementary students in 1971.

Her husband, Francisco Matos Paoli, passed away on July 10, 2000. Isabel Freire de Matos died four years later, on September 30, 2004. They had two daughters, Susana Isabel and María Soledad, and four grandchildren.

There is a special plaque in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. It honors the women of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party. Isabel Freire de Matos's name is on this plaque.

Plaque honoring the women of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party

See also

In Spanish: Isabel Freire de Matos para niños

• List of Puerto Ricans
• History of women in Puerto Rico

19th Century female leaders of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement

• María de las Mercedes Barbudo
• Lola Rodríguez de Tió
• Mariana Bracetti

Female members of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party

• Blanca Canales
• Rosa Collazo
• Julia de Burgos
• Lolita Lebrón
• Ruth Mary Reynolds
• Isabel Rosado
• Isolina Rondón
• Olga Viscal Garriga

Articles related to the Puerto Rican Independence Movement

• Puerto Rican Nationalist Party Revolts of the 1950s
• Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
• Ponce massacre
• Río Piedras massacre
• Puerto Rican Independence Party
• Grito de Lares
• Intentona de Yauco