Minerva Mirabal
(March 12,1926- November 25, 1960)
Minerva Mirabal was the third born. She is a very passionate and feisty person caring for her family and her rights. She always wanted to be a lawyer but her license to practice law was revoked by Trujillo., Manolo and Minerva, became very active in the anti-Trujillo underground. Minerva was the first sister to be declared as Mariposa", the "Butterfly". As her sisters joined her, they all collectively took that title. As a result of her involvement in the anti-Trujillo movement she was imprisoned. Minerva was assassinated on November 25, 1960, along with two of her sisters and their driver.
Minerva born March 12th showed signs of her great intelligence from a very early age. By the time she was just seven years old she could recite the verses of French poets. She was also at age 12, sent to the Catholic Secondary School Inmaculada Concepcion with her sisters Patria and Dede. Like her sister Patria, she too appreciated and enjoyed art especially that of Pablo Picasso, her main love was of writing and reading poetry and favored that of Juan Pablo Neruda. Minerva attended the University of Santo Domingo and it was there she met her future husband Manuel (Manolo) Tavarez Justo. They married on November 20 1955 and moved to Montte Cristi where they had 2 children, Minou and Manolito.
Minerva was famous
for saying "....it is a source of happiness to do whatever can be done for our country that suffers so many anguishes, it is sad to stay with one's arms crossed..."