Ana Roqué de Duprey: Catalyzing Change in Puerto Rico
Picture a small classroom in Puerto Rico, over 160 years ago. A tiny girl named Ana, just 9 years old, stands in front of students much bigger than her. She’s nervous but excited. This is Ana’s first day as a teacher’s helper – the youngest ever in Puerto Rico!
This special day was the start of Ana Roqué de Duprey’s amazing life. Born in 1853, Ana loved learning from a very young age. Roqué’s upbringing was steeped in a passion for learning, nurtured by her father, aunt, and grandmother, all of whom were educators. As Ana grew up, she wanted to learn about everything. She studied plants, animals, rocks, weather, and even the stars. She did so well in school that she became a full teacher.
Ana’s life took an interesting turn when she fell in love with Luis Duprey, a man who owned land and was slaveowner. Before agreeing to marry him, Ana made a bold request: she wanted to teach the people who worked on his land. This showed how much Ana cared about helping others learn.
Ana’s marriage became a launching pad for her revolutionary ideas. She shattered glass ceilings, becoming the first woman admitted to the Puerto Rican Athenaeum and the Public Library. In her rare moments of leisure, she composed music, her melodies a reflection of her multifaceted mind.
Ana believed that education could make the world better. She often said, “Education is the key to a better future.” She even started the first high school for girls in Puerto Rico. Ana wrote many books and articles to help people learn and to fight for women’s rights. She thought that if women got a good education, it would help everyone in society.
Ana didn’t stop there. She also fought for women’s right to vote. In 1917, she helped start a group called the Puerto Rican Feminist League. Thanks to their hard work, women in Puerto Rico got the right to vote in 1935.
Her contributions had been recognized with an honorary doctorate from the University of Puerto Rico. Reflecting on her life’s work, she humbly remarked, “I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of knowledge and justice, finding my greatest reward in the progress and enlightenment of my community.”
Ana Roqué de Duprey’s amazing journey came to an end in 1933, but her impact lives on. She opened doors for women in education, fought for their right to vote, and never stopped believing in the power of learning. Even today, many years after she’s gone, Ana’s story continues to inspire people in Puerto Rico and beyond.
Bidisha Ghosh, avid reader and passionate content writer crafting engaging, insightful articles.
