The Mirabal Sisters are being commemorated in Washington Heights.

The late Dominican sisters, famous for their brave activism against dictator Rafael Trujillo in the 1950s-’60s, now have a street named after them in the largely Dominican New York neighborhood. According to New York City Council Member Ydanis, “the southeast corner of 168th St. and Amsterdam Avenue will be co-named Mirabal Sisters Way.”

“They stand as inspirational and visionary activists for social and political justice and role models to generations of women since their untimely death in 1960 at the hands of the Dominican tyrant Trujillo,” Rodriguez, who was born in the Caribbean country, said.

On Sunday, he joined members of the city’s Dominican community — including the Mirabal Sisters Cultural & Community Center and Altagracia Mirabal, the late siblings’ cousin — for the naming ceremony.

The Mirabal Sisters are a symbol of social justice and liberation. This is a historical moment that we honor the women who fought for equality and against tyranny in the Dominican Republic. I’m so proud to present Mirabal Sisters Way at 168th St. & Amsterdam Ave. pic.twitter.com/Hfr1UtQxQF

— Ydanis Rodriguez (@ydanis) February 10, 2019

Throughout their lives, Minerva, María Teresa and Patria Mirabal, known as Las Mariposas, resisted Trujillo’s oppressive regime, forming the Movement of the Fourteenth of June that attempted to overthrow the president and speaking out, often by distributing informative detailed pamphlets, against his atrocities. For their dissent, María Teresa and Minerva were sentenced to three years in prison in May 1960. They, however, were soon released following international calls for their freedom. But three months later, on November 25, 1960, the sisters were assassinated by Trujillo’s henchmen.

The women’s fight for justice has been honored by the United Nations General Assembly, who designated the anniversary of their murder as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In popular media, the Mirabal sisters have also been celebrated in Dominican-American author Julia Alvarez’s book “In the Time of Butterflies” and the film adaptation featuring Salma Hayek and Marc Anthony.

(h/t Remezcla)

Read: To Dream, Create and Celebrate: La Galeria Magazine Print Edition Aims to Redefine the Dominican Experience in the US

Recommend this story by clicking the share button below!

Notice any corrections needed? Please email us at corrections@wearemitu.com

Natti Natasha is already off to a great 2019. La baby de urbano tops the list of nominees competing at this year’s Premio Lo Nuestro with 15 nominations.

“2018 was filled with lots of blessings, and they keep coming,” the “Criminal” singer said in Spanish while fighting through tears in a video she posted on Instagram on Tuesday. “Thanks to everyone who made this possible, to everyone who gives me strength every day.”

Natti, who has been the most-watched female artist on YouTube for two consecutive years, is nominated for “Song of the Year” for her bachata hit “Quien Sabe;” “Remix of the Year” for “Dura Remix” with Daddy Yankee featuring her, Becky G and Bad Bunny as well as for “El Baño Remix” with Enrique Iglesias and Bad Bunny; and “Collaboration of the Year” for “Justicia” with Silvestre Dangond; among other categories.

Behind the Dominican singer are Bad Bunny and J Balvin, who both have 12 nominations, Ozuna with 10, Nicky Jam with 8, Becky G, Maluma and Wisin with 7 each, Reik with 6, and Caliber 50, Carlos Vives, Daddy Yankee and Enrique Iglesias with 5 nominations each.

View this post on Instagram

En shock todavía pero con una felicidad en el corazón inmensa . Este es un regalo de Dios y de Ustedes que hacen que todo esto sea posible , son parte de cada momento , de cada canción , de cada bendición . Me llena poder ser una voz para las mujeres . El 2018 fue una nueva oportunidad en mi vida que la estoy apreciando cada mínimo segundo, donde pude conectar con todos ustedes para poder seguir haciendo esto que amo tanto , siendo completamente yo sin ningún filtro . Ahora seguir haciendo música para ustedes para que la cantemos juntos a todo pulmón , ese es mi regalo para ustedes. #premioslonuestro #pinarecords #nattinatasha ????????

A post shared by NATTI NATASHA (@nattinatasha) on Jan 8, 2019 at 6:30am PST

In 2013, Natti’s feature on Don Omar’s “Dutty Love” picked up a Billboard Latin Music Award for “Latin Rhythm Airplay Song of the Year” and was nominated for “Collaboration of the Year” and “Urban Song of the Year” at the Premio Lo Nuestro.

“It’s one of my first nominations solo, and it’s a blessing. I cry of joy — shock — and joy,” she continued.

This year’s impressive nominations come before Natti even released her anticipated first album under Pina Records, which is slated for a February 13 debut, and that feat isn’t lost on her. Always encouraging women to push through despite barriers and disparities, just as she has in her own career, Natti used the emotional moment to send an inspiring message to the ladies.

“Women, keep working, growing and fighting. I do this, for real, with lots of love,” she said.

Catch the 31st Premio Lo Nuestro on Thursday, February 21 on Univision.

Read: Anyone Who Has Ever Been Asked For A Sexy Pic By A Guy Will Feel Seen AF By This New Natti Natasha Video

Recommend this story by clicking the share button below!

Notice any corrections needed? Please email us at corrections@wearemitu.com