Elizabeth Manley

This long article acknowledges the 58^th anniversary on November 25 of the murder of three young women – the Mirabal sisters - at the hands of dictator Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. November 25 became the Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and gave rise to the emergence of feminist groups, such as the Tertulia Feminista Magaly Pineda (Magali Pineta Feminist Gathering), Coloquio Mujeres RD (Women’s Colloquium RD) and Encuentro de Abrazos (Gathering of Embraces). These groups, amongst others, represent the new wave of feminist activity in the Dominican Republic, and stress the role of women in denouncing gender-based violence committed by the state and other social actors. The article establishes connections in some cases between their struggles and Latin America’s resistance to US occupation. It also stresses the importance of creating networks of solidarity with other countries in Latin America as well as enlarging the discussion to other aspects of gender identity and sexuality.