Por ESENDOM
7 de diciembre de 2025
Lea en español: Ercilia Pepín, reconocida como Prócer de la Patria: El 7 de diciembre es su día nacional
The enactment of Law 96-25 elevates Ercilia Pepín to the rank of National Hero and designates December 7—the anniversary of her birth—as the official date to honor her educational, patriotic, and feminist legacy.
A Pioneer of Dominican Education
Born in Santiago de los Caballeros in 1886, Pepín began teaching at age 14 and revolutionized national pedagogy: she introduced school uniforms, established norms of mutual respect in classrooms, and applied scientific methodologies to instruction. Beyond the classroom, she organized lectures and community forums that promoted women’s participation in public life and the expansion of their civil and political rights.
Civic Leadership in the Face of Occupation
During the 1916 U.S. occupation, Pepín emerged as a patriotic figure of national scope, using her educational work to defend Dominican sovereignty and identity in ways that resonated across generations.
Scope of the Law
The legislation tasks the Comisión Permanente de Efemérides Patrias (Permanent Commission of Patriotic Anniversaries) with organizing commemorative activities in schools and communities. The measure, which takes effect upon publication in the Gaceta Oficial (Official Gazette), seeks to integrate her life and work into the curriculum and strengthen inclusive historical memory.
Contemporary Relevance
This recognition comes at a time when challenges persist in teacher training, educational equity, and women’s political participation. Elevating Pepín as a National Hero is not merely symbolic: it points toward dignifying the teaching profession and ensuring the rights she championed more than a century ago. For Dominican communities across the globe—from Santiago to The Bronx, from Santo Domingo to Madrid—Ercilia Pepín Day offers a shared touchstone for educational and cultural initiatives that reclaim historic female leadership.
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