Source: National Archives & Historic Records of Dominican Republic
Literature & Poetry • Historical Archive • 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic • 0 views

Ercilia Pepín 🇩🇴

Ercilia Pepín Estrella (Known as "Ercilia")
Pioneering Feminist Educator, Intellectual, Anti-Imperialist Leader
Born 1884-12-07 🇩🇴 Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Passed Away 1939-06-14 Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Lifespan 54 years old
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"A woman who educates herself conquers the divine right to guide the moral conscience of her nation."

Archival Overview

Trailblazing educator and feminist who became school principal at age twenty, introduced school uniforms and women's physical education, and led fierce civic protests against the 1916–1924 United States military occupation.

Biographical Record

Ercilia Pepín Estrella was born in Santiago on December 7, 1884. Becoming a primary teacher at just fourteen, Pepín was appointed director of the Escuela Superior de Señoritas at age twenty, modernizing Dominican female education with natural sciences and gymnastics.

When US Marines invaded the Dominican Republic in 1916, Pepín organized street protests, refusing to display foreign flags and writing fiery anti-imperialist manifestos across Latin America. When dictator Rafael Trujillo seized power in 1930, she courageously refused to compromise with the tyranny, resigning her posts in protest.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Municipal Cemetery of Santiago (30 de Marzo)
Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
GPS: 19.4510, -70.7020
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