I want to begin with a small apology. This post was meant to go up yesterday, but sometimes life has a way of shifting plans around. Still, I couldn’t let Hispanic Heritage Month pass without pausing to honor a woman whose voice continues to resonate across generations: Julia de Burgos, the Puerto Rican poet who turned words into instruments of identity, freedom, and defiance.
Born in 1914 in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Julia de Burgos grew up in a world shaped by colonial rule, inequality, and the limitations placed on women. Yet from a young age, she carried within her a fire for justice and expression. She became a teacher, a journalist, and most importantly, a poet whose verses challenged norms and awakened a sense of pride in her people.
Her poetry wasn’t just beautiful—it was revolutionary. She wrote about Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination, about the strength of women, and about her own struggles with love and identity. Works like “Yo misma fui mi ruta” (“I was my own path”) remind us of her unshakable belief that women had the power to carve out their own destinies, no matter the obstacles.
But Julia’s life was also marked by hardship. She faced poverty, political exile, and personal battles, including her health. She passed away tragically young at just 39 years old in New York City, far from the island she loved. Yet even in her short life, she left behind a body of work that continues to inspire not only Puerto Ricans but anyone who has ever longed for freedom, dignity, and a voice of their own.
What I admire most about Julia de Burgos is that she refused to stay silent. She used her pen to fight against colonialism, sexism, and injustice long before it was common—or safe—for women to do so. In doing so, she gave voice to the struggles of her people and became a symbol of cultural pride that still stands tall today.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, remembering Julia de Burgos means remembering the power of words to change the world. Her poetry is not just history—it’s a call to continue speaking, writing, and creating in pursuit of freedom and identity.
✨ Even though this post is arriving a day later than planned, Julia’s words remind me that the fight for recognition, justice, and voice is timeless. Her echo remains—and it will never fade.
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