Doña Fela's Dream The Story of Puerto Rico's First Female Mayor

The inspiring story of Doña Fela, an enterprising woman who broke barriers and stopped at nothing to make the island of Puerto Rico a better home for all.

Though she was born before women on her island were allowed to vote, Felisa Rincón de Gautier did not let that stop her from becoming the first female mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1946. Easily spotted on the streets of San Juan by her flair and the jasmine flowers braided into her hair, she radiated style and grace. Doña Fela, as she affectionately came to be called, loved her city.  

Doña Fela was always ready to listen to problems and find solutions. With determination and resilience, she brought lasting change to the island. Doña Fela’s inspiring story as a visionary leader is brought to life on the page through stunning paintings that evoke the vibrant colors and culture of Puerto Rico.

Monica Brown is the author of many multicultural books for children, including the Lola Levine series and the award-winning Waiting for the Biblioburro / Esperando el biblioburro, Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina, and Frida and Her Animalitos. Monica's books are inspired by her Peruvian and Jewish heritage and her desire to bring stories to children. Monica lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she is a professor of English at Northern Arizona University. She invites you to visit her online at monicabrown.net.

Rosa Ibarra is a fine artist who works in oils, interweaving thick layers of paint to convey the vibration of light and to build texture and design. Born in Puerto Rico, she spent her childhood in Old San Juan. She received a degree of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and exhibits her work in galleries and museums in the United States and abroad. She invites you to visit her online at rosaibarra.com.