Although Lebrón was a member of the Liberal Party from a young age , she did n't display any interest in politics . However , her posture changed after March 21 , 1937 , when a group of militants from the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party were killed during a peaceful protest which became known as the Ponce massacre . Lebrón who was eighteen years old at the time , developed a nationalistic ideology following this event . During this timeframe , Lebrón had a relationship with a local engineer , following the advice of her family . When she was twenty-one years old she gave birth to her first daughter Gladys , who was left in Rafaela Luciano 's custody after Lebrón was separated from her husband and moved to New York City . After she arrived in New York City , she started to experience problems finding employment , mostly because she did not fully understand English . Lebrón worked as a seamstress in several factories . She was fired from some of her jobs because she was considered a " rebel by her bosses " after she protested against the discrimination which she witnessed against Puerto Rican workers . This influenced her nationalistic views even further and she eventually established contact with members of the Puerto Rican Liberation Movement . She enrolled at George Washington College , where she studied for two years during her free time from work . She married again when she was twenty-two years old and gave birth to her second child , whom she would send to Puerto Rico to live with her mother , a year later . Lebrón decided to divorce her husband because she felt that he was oppressing her . In 1943 , there was a massive migration of Puerto Ricans from Puerto Rico to New York , composed mostly of jibaros seeking employment . Lebrón grew increasingly frustrated when she observed how they were forced to live in poverty and under social decadence and she increased her work within nationalist circles . In 1946 , she formally became a member of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party , following the advice of a friend . During this time she developed an admiration for the Party 's president Pedro Albizu Campos , studying and memorizing his biography and ideals . After joining the party , Lebrón inadvertently included some of her own initiatives within the organization 's ideals , these were influenced by socialist and feminist ideals . Seeking more involvement in society and politics for women , new economic systems and social reforms that would protect women and children . Her constant involvement in the party 's affairs earned her several high-ranking positions , among them those of secretary , vice-president , and executive delegate of its delegation in New York
Ponce massacre
Ponce massacre
Lolita Lebrón