Mariana Bracetti (1825 – 1903), born in the City of Añasco, Puerto Rico was a patriotic firm believer in the independence of Puerto Rico.

Lares Revolutionary Flag

Bracetti was always willing to fight for her ideals. She was a believer in women's rights and showed it by her participation in Puerto Ricos first revolution. Her first marriage was a failure. She soon was to meet and develop a relationship with Miguel Rojas, a rich businessmen who lived in Añasco and who together with his brother Manuel owned a coffee plantation called "El Triunfo". Miguel and Manuel Rojas were great admirers of Dr. Ramon Emeterio Betances and were influenced by his ideas of independence for Puerto Rico. Mariana Bracetti married and had children with Miguel Rojas.

Mariana Bracetti then moved to the hacienda "El Triunfo" which was to become the clandestine nucleus of the revolution that would be known as El "Grito de Lares". The Rojas admiration of Betances led them to join him in the independence conspiracy.

The Rojas brothers became the leaders in Lares with the code name: "Centro Bravo". Manuel Rojas, Bracetti's brother-law, was named Commander of the Liberation Army. Mathias Bruckman was the leader in Mayaguez with the code name: "Capa Prieto". There were many other sectors on the west coast of the island.

Mariana Bracetti was nicknamed the "Brazo de Oro" (Golden Arm) and appointed the leader of "Lares's Revolutionary Council". Betances suggusted that Bracetti knitt the first flag of the future "Republic of Puerto Rico" She designed and knitted the flag taking into consideration Betances suggestions. The flag was divided in the middle by a white cross. The two lower corners were red and the two upper corners were blue. There was a white star in the upper left blue corner.

In 1868, an Army of about 800 men met in the "El Triunfo" plantation and Manuel Rojas procided to take the town of Lares. This was the start of "El Grito de Lares". Once the town was taken, Bracetti's flag was placed on the High Altar of the Parroquial Church. This signified that the revolutionists were declaring Puerto Rico a Republic.

The revolution however, failed and all of the survivors were imprisioned in Arecibo, including Bracetti. Eighty of the prisoners died in jail but, Bracetti lived and was released in January 20, 1869, because of a general amnisty granted by the new Spanish Republican Government.

Mariana Bracetti died in the City of Añasco, Puerto Rico in 1903. She was buried in the Plaza of Añasco. There is a monument honoring her on the spot were Bracetti is buried.

Mariana Bracetti's memory has been honored in Puerto Rico were there are schools streets and avenues named after her. The Mariana Bracetti Academy Cs Elementry School District in Philadelphia, Pa. and the Mariana Bracetti Plaza in New York are also named after her.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans