Luisa Capetillo (1879 - 1922) was a Christian Anarchist, labor organizer, feminist and free love advocate.
Life
Early Life
She was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. To a Basque and Corsican immigrant family, she was home-schooled by her liberal parents before having children at 19 (1898) and working in a cigar factory.
Radicalisation
She was exposed to trade unions in the cigar factory, and was strongly influenced by feminist and romanticist philosophy taught by her parents. Reading Tolstoy and Malatesta also had a strong influence on her.
Political Activities
She supported strikes across the country, organizing Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants in the US and Puerto Rico. She also wore male clothing in public and helped pass the first minimum wage law in Puerto Rico.
Deaths
She died in San Juan from Tuberculosis in 1922.[1]
Quotes
"Oh you woman! who is capable and willing to spread the seed of justice; do not hesitate, do not fret, do not run away, go forward! And for the benefit of the future generations place the first stone for the building of social equality in a serene but firm way, with all the right that belongs to you, without looking down, since you are no longer the ancient material or intellectual slave."[1]