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{{short description|Puerto Rican politician and businesswoman}} {{short description|Puerto Rican politician and businesswoman}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox officeholder
| name = María Luisa Arcelay | name = María Luisa Arcelay
| image = | image =
| imagesize = 120px | smallimage =
| order = Member of the ] from the ] (Mayagüez)
| caption = María Luisa Arcelay was the first woman in Puerto Rico to be elected to a government legislative body
| term_start = January 2, 1933
| birthname =
| birth_date = December 23, 1898 | term_end = January 2, 1941
| predecessor =
⚫ | birth_place =]
| successor =
⚫ | death_date = October 17, 1981 (aged 83)
| order2 =
⚫ | death_place =Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
| office2 =
| occupation = educator, businesswoman and politician
| term_start2 =
| nationality = Puerto Rican
| term_end2 =
| footnotes = One of the halls of Puerto Rico's Capital Building, "Maria Luisa Arecelay", is named in her honor.
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| birth_date = December 23, 1893
⚫ | birth_place = ]
| birth_name = María Luisa Arcelay De la Rosa
⚫ | death_date = October 17, 1981 (aged 83)
⚫ | death_place = Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
| alma_mater =
| profession = Teacher, Politician
| children =
| party =
}} }}

'''María Luisa Arcelay''' (December 23, 1898 – October 17, 1981), was an ], ] and ]. In November 1932, she became the first woman in ] to be elected to a government legislative body,<ref>{{cite news|page=5|title=Mayaguez Plans Welcome|work=The New York Times|date=July 6, 1934}}</ref> when she was elected to represent the district of ] in the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. '''María Luisa Arcelay''' (December 23, 1898 – October 17, 1981), was an educator, businesswoman and politician. In November 1932, she became the first woman in ] to be elected to a government legislative body,<ref>{{cite news|page=5|title=Mayaguez Plans Welcome|work=The New York Times|date=July 6, 1934}}</ref> when she was elected to represent the district of ] in the ].


==Early years== ==Early years==
Arcelay was one of five siblings born to Ricardo Arcelay and Isabel de la Rosa in ], Puerto Rico. There she received her primary and secondary education before moving to the then town of ], where she earned her teachers certificate.<ref name="BIO">{{cite book|last=Arcelay|first=Carmen L. |title=Alo, Quien Llama?, Maria Luisa Arcelay: Pionera de La Legislatura Olvidada En El Tiempo|publisher=S.N.|date=January 2004|isbn=0-9755107-7-0}}</ref><ref name="CRPR">" {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219194824/http://www.camaraderepresentantes.org/files/pdf/72012DINXP.pdf |date=2012-02-19 }}</ref> Arcelay was one of five children born to Ricardo Arcelay and Isabel de la Rosa in ], Puerto Rico. There she graduated as an elementary level English teacher from the Normal School in ], where she earned her teachers certificate.<ref name="BIO">{{cite book|last=Arcelay|first=Carmen L. |title=Alo, Quien Llama?, Maria Luisa Arcelay: Pionera de La Legislatura Olvidada En El Tiempo|publisher=S.N.|date=January 2004|isbn=0-9755107-7-0}}</ref><ref name="CRPR">" {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219194824/http://www.camaraderepresentantes.org/files/pdf/72012DINXP.pdf |date=2012-02-19 }}</ref>


==Educator== ==Educator==
Arcelay began her career as an educator when she was hired as an ] teacher at ] High School. Later she taught at the ] High School, both schools located in the city of ]. During her spare time she worked as a bookkeeper for various commercial firms in the area.<ref name="BIO"/><ref name="CRPR"/> Arcelay began her career as an educator when she was hired as an English language teacher at ] High School. Later she taught at the ] High School, both schools located in the city of ]. During her spare time she worked as a bookkeeper for various commercial firms in the area.<ref name="BIO"/><ref name="CRPR"/>


==Businesswoman and politician== ==Businesswoman and politician==
By 1920, Arcelay abandoned her career as an educator and together with Lorenza Carrero founded a needlework workshop which evolved into a needlework factory.<ref name="CRPR"/> Her company employed many local women, who had no other means to sustain themselves economically. She was also an activist who defended the island's ] industry in many public hearings. These hearings were held in Puerto Rico, and in ] and ].<ref name="BIO"/><ref name="CRPR"/> By 1920, Arcelay left her career as an educator and together with Lorenza Carrero founded a ] workshop which evolved into a needlework factory.<ref name="CRPR"/> Her company employed many local women, who had no other means to sustain themselves economically. She was also an activist who defended the island's needlework industry in many public hearings. These hearings were held in Puerto Rico, and in New York City and Washington, D.C.<ref name="BIO"/><ref name="CRPR"/>


Arcelay was member of the ''Partido Coalicionista de Puerto Rico'' (The Puerto Rican Coalition Party). In the November 1932 elections, she was elected to represent the district of Mayagüez in the ]. This made Arcelay thereby the first Puerto Rican woman, and the first woman in ''all'' of ], to be elected to a government legislative body.<ref name="BIO"/><ref name="LT">"Latino thought"; By: Francisco Hernández Vázquez, Rodolfo D. Torres; page 182; {{ISBN|978-0-8476-9941-4}}</ref> Arcelay was member of the ''Partido Coalicionista de Puerto Rico'' (The Puerto Rican Coalition Party). In the November 1932 elections, she was elected to represent the district of Mayagüez in the ]. This made Arcelay thereby the first Puerto Rican woman, and the first woman in ''all'' of Latin America, to be elected to a government legislative body.<ref name="BIO"/><ref name="LT">"Latino thought"; By: Francisco Hernández Vázquez, Rodolfo D. Torres; page 182; {{ISBN|978-0-8476-9941-4}}</ref>


Arcelay used her position as president of the Agriculture and Commerce Commission, to continue her defense of the needlework industry before local and federal authorities. She also played an instrumental role in making the industry (both its prices, and it products) compatible with the United States market, by opposing any minimum wage legislation for seamstresses and common workers.<ref name="LT"/> Arcelay used her position as president of the Agriculture and Commerce Commission, to continue her defense of the needlework industry before local and federal authorities. She also played an instrumental role in making the industry (both its prices, and it products) compatible with the United States market, by opposing any minimum wage legislation for seamstresses and common workers.<ref name="LT"/>


In August 1932 the needleworkers went on strike, to request higher salaries for their work. Police, who were called to protect employer properties, killed and wounded some strikers who stoned the workshop of Arcelay.<ref>"Home to work: motherhood and the politics of industrial homework in the ..."; By Eileen Boris; page 233; Publisher: Cambridge University Press; {{ISBN|978-0-521-45548-0}}</ref> Puerto Rican musician Mon Rivera wrote a song titled ''Alo, Quien Llama?'' (Hello, Who's Calling?), sometimes also referred to as ''Que Será.'' which describes the seamstress' strike and mentions Arcelay in the song.<ref>{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In August 1932 the needleworkers went on ], to request higher salaries for their work. Police, who were called to protect employer properties, killed and wounded some strikers who stoned the workshop of Arcelay.<ref>"Home to work: motherhood and the politics of industrial homework in the ..."; By Eileen Boris; page 233; Publisher: Cambridge University Press; {{ISBN|978-0-521-45548-0}}</ref> Puerto Rican musician ] wrote a song titled ''Alo, Quien Llama?'' (Hello, Who's Calling?), sometimes also referred to as ''Que Será.'' which describes the seamstress' strike and mentions Arcelay in the song.<ref>{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


In 1934, Arcelay presented a bill before the Puerto Rican legislature which established the Lottery of Puerto Rico. She was re-elected in 1936, during which time she introduced the bills to establish an orphanage for children, and a Juvenile court. She also presented bills to establish a teachers' pension and a School of Medicine at the ].<ref name="CRPR"/> In 1934, Arcelay presented a bill before the ] which established the Lottery of Puerto Rico. She was re-elected in 1936, during which time she introduced the bills to establish an orphanage and a ]. She also presented bills to establish a teachers' pension and a School of Medicine at the ].<ref name="CRPR"/>


Arcelay was named president of the Prices and Rationing Board #49 of Mayagüez, and was the director of the ] program in Puerto Rico during ].<ref name="BIO"/> During the decades of the 40s and 50s, under her leadership, Puerto Rico's needlework industry grew to become the island's second-largest industry...second only to agriculture. Arcelay was named president of the Prices and Rationing Board No. 49 of Mayagüez, and was the director of the ] program in Puerto Rico during ].<ref name="BIO"/> During the 1940s and 1950s, under her leadership, Puerto Rico's needlework industry grew to become the island's second-largest industry, behind agriculture.


==Legacy== ==Legacy==
Arcelay participated in civic-oriented organizations such as the Women's Civic and Cultural Club of Mayagüez, and was the founder of the Altrusa Club of that same city. She served in the government until 1940 and, in 1965, retired from her business career.<ref name="BIO"/> Arcelay participated in civic organizations such as the Women's Civic and Cultural Club of Mayagüez, and was the founder of the Altrusa Club of that city. She served in the government until 1940 and, in 1965, retired from her business career.<ref name="BIO"/>


She died on October 17, 1981, in her hometown Mayagüez and is buried in ],.<ref name="BIO"/> The city named a school in her honor.<ref></ref> There is a portrait of Maria Luisa Arcelay at the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America. It is located in the ] in Harvard University.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://via.lib.harvard.edu/via/deliver/deepcontent?recordId=olvwork20012498 |title=Harvard University Library |access-date=2009-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716220912/http://via.lib.harvard.edu/via/deliver/deepcontent?recordId=olvwork20012498 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She died on October 17, 1981, in her hometown Mayagüez and is buried in ],.<ref name="BIO"/> The city named a school in her honor.<ref></ref> There is a portrait of Maria Luisa Arcelay at the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America. It is located in the ] in Harvard University.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://via.lib.harvard.edu/via/deliver/deepcontent?recordId=olvwork20012498 |title=Harvard University Library |access-date=2009-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716220912/http://via.lib.harvard.edu/via/deliver/deepcontent?recordId=olvwork20012498 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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Latest revision as of 03:40, 20 December 2024

Puerto Rican politician and businesswoman
María Luisa Arcelay
Member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives from the 16rd District (Mayagüez)
In office
January 2, 1933 – January 2, 1941
Personal details
BornMaría Luisa Arcelay De la Rosa
December 23, 1893
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
DiedOctober 17, 1981 (aged 83)
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
ProfessionTeacher, Politician

María Luisa Arcelay (December 23, 1898 – October 17, 1981), was an educator, businesswoman and politician. In November 1932, she became the first woman in Puerto Rico to be elected to a government legislative body, when she was elected to represent the district of Mayagüez in the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico.

Early years

Arcelay was one of five children born to Ricardo Arcelay and Isabel de la Rosa in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. There she graduated as an elementary level English teacher from the Normal School in Rio Piedras, where she earned her teachers certificate.

Educator

Arcelay began her career as an educator when she was hired as an English language teacher at Theodore Roosevelt High School. Later she taught at the Jose de Diego High School, both schools located in the city of Mayagüez. During her spare time she worked as a bookkeeper for various commercial firms in the area.

Businesswoman and politician

By 1920, Arcelay left her career as an educator and together with Lorenza Carrero founded a needlework workshop which evolved into a needlework factory. Her company employed many local women, who had no other means to sustain themselves economically. She was also an activist who defended the island's needlework industry in many public hearings. These hearings were held in Puerto Rico, and in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Arcelay was member of the Partido Coalicionista de Puerto Rico (The Puerto Rican Coalition Party). In the November 1932 elections, she was elected to represent the district of Mayagüez in the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. This made Arcelay thereby the first Puerto Rican woman, and the first woman in all of Latin America, to be elected to a government legislative body.

Arcelay used her position as president of the Agriculture and Commerce Commission, to continue her defense of the needlework industry before local and federal authorities. She also played an instrumental role in making the industry (both its prices, and it products) compatible with the United States market, by opposing any minimum wage legislation for seamstresses and common workers.

In August 1932 the needleworkers went on strike, to request higher salaries for their work. Police, who were called to protect employer properties, killed and wounded some strikers who stoned the workshop of Arcelay. Puerto Rican musician Mon Rivera wrote a song titled Alo, Quien Llama? (Hello, Who's Calling?), sometimes also referred to as Que Será. which describes the seamstress' strike and mentions Arcelay in the song.

In 1934, Arcelay presented a bill before the Puerto Rican legislature which established the Lottery of Puerto Rico. She was re-elected in 1936, during which time she introduced the bills to establish an orphanage and a juvenile court. She also presented bills to establish a teachers' pension and a School of Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez.

Arcelay was named president of the Prices and Rationing Board No. 49 of Mayagüez, and was the director of the Victory bonds program in Puerto Rico during World War II. During the 1940s and 1950s, under her leadership, Puerto Rico's needlework industry grew to become the island's second-largest industry, behind agriculture.

Legacy

Arcelay participated in civic organizations such as the Women's Civic and Cultural Club of Mayagüez, and was the founder of the Altrusa Club of that city. She served in the government until 1940 and, in 1965, retired from her business career.

She died on October 17, 1981, in her hometown Mayagüez and is buried in Mayagüez's Old Municipal Cemetery,. The city named a school in her honor. There is a portrait of Maria Luisa Arcelay at the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America. It is located in the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study in Harvard University.

On August 22, 2005, the Chamber of Representatives of Puerto Rico, by the act R.de la C. 2631, named a portion of Puerto Rico's Capital Building as the Maria Luisa Arecelay hall, in her honor.

On May 29, 2014, The Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico honored 12 illustrious women with plaques in the "La Plaza en Honor a la Mujer Puertorriqueña" (Plaza in Honor of Puerto Rican Women) in San Juan. According to the plaques the following 12 women, who by virtue of their merits and legacies, stand out in the history of Puerto Rico. On May 29, 2014, The Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico honored 12 illustrious women with plaques in the "La Plaza en Honor a la Mujer Puertorriqueña" (Plaza in Honor of Puerto Rican Women) in San Juan. According to the plaques the 12 women, who by virtue of their merits and legacies, stand out in the history of Puerto Rico. Arcelay was among those who were honored.

Further reading

  • Arcelay, Carmen L. (January 2004). Alo, Quien Llama?, Maria Luisa Arcelay: Pionera de La Legislatura Olvidada En El Tiempo. S.N. ISBN 0-9755107-7-0.

See also

References

  1. "Mayaguez Plans Welcome". The New York Times. July 6, 1934. p. 5.
  2. ^ Arcelay, Carmen L. (January 2004). Alo, Quien Llama?, Maria Luisa Arcelay: Pionera de La Legislatura Olvidada En El Tiempo. S.N. ISBN 0-9755107-7-0.
  3. ^ "Camara de Representantes de Puerto Rico Archived 2012-02-19 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Latino thought"; By: Francisco Hernández Vázquez, Rodolfo D. Torres; page 182; ISBN 978-0-8476-9941-4
  5. "Home to work: motherhood and the politics of industrial homework in the ..."; By Eileen Boris; page 233; Publisher: Cambridge University Press; ISBN 978-0-521-45548-0
  6. Mon Rivera
  7. Maria Luisa Arcelay School
  8. "Harvard University Library". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
  9. La Mujer en nuestra historia
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