The Noble Lady of the Caribbean
Doña Fela artwork by: @juanpipr
“My opponents campaign just before the elections and then they disappear. I start campaigning the day after the election and never stop.” - Felisa Rincón de Gautier (Doña Fela)
The first time I heard Doña Fela’s name was when we parked our car in Old San Juan. The parking lot was named in her honor. When I inquired about her, what caught my eye was her appearance. She was only about five feet tall, wore enormous bouffant wigs, oversized glasses and she always carried a fan. Fans, I learned were her signature. People would say ” “I saw Doña Fela’s hair before I saw Doña Fela!” She slowly became something of a phenomenon to me as I pieced together all the remarkable contributions she made as the first female major of San Juan.
Felisa Rincón de Gautier’s remarkable journey began with humble, yet formative experiences. As the eldest of nine children, she took on the immense responsibility of caring for her family at just twelve years old when her mother passed away. Her political education began at a young age because her father, Enrique Rincón, a lawyer, often included Felisa in his conversations with his friends. As a young girl, she had a passion for medicine and pharmaceuticals, which led her to become a practicing pharmacist. In addition to her skills in the medical field, she was also a talented seamstress, who made clothing for her siblings. With a desire to help woman in Puerto Rico find employment, she asked her father for $500.00 and a ticket to New York. She wanted to learn how to operate a dress factory and master high fashion design. When she returned to the island she opened her stores, “Felicia Style Shop and Spa” on Calle Fortaleza and “Miles de Flores,” a flower shop.
Despite being exposed to her father’s ideas on suffrage, she went against his wishes, and became the fifth woman on the island to register to vote. She was passionate about women’s suffrage, and she traveled door-to-door to inform women of their rights. She encouraged them to register to vote once it became possible in 1935. Canvassing really opened her eyes to the harsh realities of poverty in San Juan. It’s likely that those experiences sparked a lifelong commitment to helping those in need.
In 1940 she married Genaro A. Gautier, an attorney who served as secretary for the Popular Democratic Party, which was founded by Luis Muñoz Marin. Señor Marin saw potential in her and encouraged her to run for mayor of San Juan. Unfortunately, her family didn’t support the idea. However, when Mayor Roberto Sánchez Vilella resigned in 1946, she accepted the job and was appointed the first woman Mayor of San Juan, serving from 1946 to 1969.
Felisa Rincón de Gautier’s, affectionately referred to as Doña Fela, made many contributions to public service and community development that have had a lasting impact on the Western Hemisphere. Doña Fela’s political philosophy was rooted in “benevolent maternalism” focusing on improving the lives of the people who elected her. She is remembered for her dedication to the city’s poor and her innovative public services. Her legacy as a pioneering female politician continues to inspire and influence communities in Puerto Rico and beyond as evidenced by the numerous institutions and monuments dedicated to her memory.
Distributed shoes and food to poor children
Built centers for elder-care
Offered legal aid to low-income residents
Helped to improve public health with the renovation of the San Juan Municipal Hospital complex, paving the way for the founding of the School of Medicine in 1950.
Created Maternal Schools, preschool and childcare centers, that became Presidents Kennedy’s model for Head Start programs in the United States.
Distributed gifts to children at Christmastime. The last year she was mayor, she didn’t have time to find the money for those Christmas gifts. She asked the manager of the toy store, “It’s going to keep on going, but I don’t have money to pay for it. What I’m going to do is…. the house that I have on the beach – that’s how I am going to pay for it. You give the toys for the kids, and I’m going to give the house to you so that they can have their gifts.”
Found ways to allow mother’s employment outside of the home.
Opened City Hall to the public every Wednesday to hear the concerns of the residents.
Created “The Cultural Heritage of San Juan” by creating the Historical Monument Commission which preserved the colonial architecture in the Old City. This work led Viejo San Juan to receive the “All American City Award”.
Constructed public works under her administration which included reconstructed streets, avenues, parks, plazas and nursery schools.
Best remembered for bringing snow to Luis Muñoz Marin Rivera Park. Interesting story: She got Eastern Airlines to fly snow from New Hampshire to San Juan so kids who’d never seen snow could play in it. They dumped it in Luis Muñoz Rivera Park for 3 years straight. And when I ask friends what they remember about Doña Fela, this is what they remember.
After retiring, Doña Fela served for four United States Presidents, working in Asia, Latin America and Europe as a Goodwill Ambassador. Throughout her career she received 113 keys to different cities from Puerto Rico, the United States and Latin America. She received eleven honorary degrees from universities in the States and Puerto Rico. All of which culminated in being named “Woman of the Americas” in 1954. In 1992 at the age of 95 she was a delegate to the Democratic Party nominating convention. When she passed away two years later, she was given burial honors as a head of state. Dignitaries from all around the world attended her funeral, and she was laid to rest in the municipal cemetery in Monacillos Barrio Rio Piedras.
Photo: Marcos Del Valle / Mural by: Celso González y Roberto Biaggi
Entering into Old San Juan on Luis Muñoz Marin Rivera Avenue, that always reminds me of Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, you’ll see a huge mosaic wall. It is titled “Mural Mosaico Doña Felicia Rincón de Gautier” featuring a likeness of Felisa Rincón de Gautier. The artists, Celso González and Roberto Biaggi, captured her perfectly, showcasing her distinctive flair for big glasses, big hair and a huge red fan that symbolized her extensive collection of fans. She was a woman who had her own personal style, that you could never forget.
Her look was intentional: maternal, the iconic “Abuela, Grandmother”, approachable, kind and unmistakably in charge. Watch the video I have linked below and you will understand right away why I have found her to be remarkable.
For me there are strong threads that tie Maya Angelou, Berth Palmer and Doña Fela together. Each woman built their own platforms, then used them to improve the lives of others. All three led like matriarchs, not generals, using style as armor and strategy. All three practiced hospitable power. They didn’t kick doors down. They opened their own, set a beautiful table, and invited everyone in that they could. They changed the rules from the inside. Remarkable women, yet there are more on my list, which will continue with my next post.
Next post; Women thorough the decades who have inspired me.
Here is a documentary of her life, The Noble Lady of the Caribbean, The Doña Fela Story. Enjoy!