Lila Mayoral Wirshing
Encyclopedia
Lila de las Mercedes Mayoral Wirshing was the wife of Governor of Puerto Rico
Rafael Hernández Colón
, and served as First Lady
during his three terms as Governor (1972-1977, 1985-1993).
, Puerto Rico
to industrialist Juan Eugenio Mayoral Renovales and Julita Wirshing Serrallés. She had three sisters: Julita Mercedes, Ana Inés, and Eugenia.
Mayoral began his studies at the Liceo Ponceño in Ponce, and finished high school at the Dana Hall School
in Massachusetts
. It is during this time that she met Rafael Hernández Colón, who was a young law student at the time.
Mayoral and Hernández Colón married on October 24, 1959. They had four children: Rafael, José Alfredo, Dora Mercedes, and Juan Eugenio
.
when her husband, Rafael Hernández Colón, was elected Governor
in the 1972 general elections
. She remained in the position until Hernández Colón lost the 1976 elections
.
Mayoral distinguished herself for her dedication to the community. After Hurricane Eloise
caused damage on the island, she organized a concert to benefit those damaged by the storm.
in Business Management from the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón with a 4.00 GPA.
.
The next year, after the Mameyes Landslide in Ponce, Mayoral convinced the government to rebuild cement houses to the victims instead of wooden ones. Also, after Hurricane Hugo
affected the island, Mayoral led the government and community efforts to raise funds to the victims of the storm. She was President of the Board of Directors of the Committee "Dale la Mano a Puerto Rico", which organized a marathon where they collected $15.6 million.
Mayoral also led an anti-drug campaign in schools called "Abre tus ojos a un mundo sin drogas". The campaign encouraged students to develop different artistic projects with an anti-drug theme. Celebrities like José Miguel Agrelot
, Ednita Nazario
, and Dagmar participated in the campaign, handing out awards and gifts to the winners.
Mayoral also led reforestation efforts in the island.
.
Mayoral died on January 7, 2003 of colon cancer. A school in Ponce was named in her honor, as well as the building of the Department of Family in San Juan.
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
Rafael Hernández Colón
Rafael Hernández Colón
Rafael Hernández Colón is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the fourth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for three non-consecutive terms, from 1973 to 1977 and from 1985 to 1993. An experienced politician, Hernández holds the record for being the youngest Governor of Puerto Rico,...
, and served as First Lady
First Lady of Puerto Rico
First Lady of Puerto Rico is the title traditionally given to the spouse of the Governor of Puerto Rico. The current First Lady is Lucé Vela.-Current:...
during his three terms as Governor (1972-1977, 1985-1993).
Early years and marriage
Lila Mayoral was born in PoncePonce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
to industrialist Juan Eugenio Mayoral Renovales and Julita Wirshing Serrallés. She had three sisters: Julita Mercedes, Ana Inés, and Eugenia.
Mayoral began his studies at the Liceo Ponceño in Ponce, and finished high school at the Dana Hall School
Dana Hall School
Founded in 1881, Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts, USA, is an independent boarding and day school for girls in grades 6-12.-History:...
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. It is during this time that she met Rafael Hernández Colón, who was a young law student at the time.
Mayoral and Hernández Colón married on October 24, 1959. They had four children: Rafael, José Alfredo, Dora Mercedes, and Juan Eugenio
Juan Eugenio Hernández Mayoral
Juan Eugenio Hernández Mayoral is a Puerto Rican Senator. He is the son of former Governor of Puerto Rico Rafael Hernández Colón.- Early years and studies :...
.
First Lady of Puerto Rico: 1972-1976
Lila Mayoral became First Lady of Puerto RicoFirst Lady of Puerto Rico
First Lady of Puerto Rico is the title traditionally given to the spouse of the Governor of Puerto Rico. The current First Lady is Lucé Vela.-Current:...
when her husband, Rafael Hernández Colón, was elected Governor
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
in the 1972 general elections
Puerto Rican general election, 1972
General elections were held in Puerto Rico on 7 November 1972. Rafael Hernández Colón of the Popular Democratic Party was elected Governor, whilst the PPD also won a majority of the seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate...
. She remained in the position until Hernández Colón lost the 1976 elections
Puerto Rican general election, 1976
General elections were held in Puerto Rico on 2 November 1976. Carlos Romero Barceló of the New Progressive Party was elected Governor, whilst the PNP also won a majority of the seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Voter turnout was 86.1%.-Governor:-House of Representatives:-Senate:...
.
Mayoral distinguished herself for her dedication to the community. After Hurricane Eloise
Hurricane Eloise
Hurricane Eloise was the most destructive tropical cyclone of the 1975 Atlantic hurricane season. The fifth tropical storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Eloise formed as a tropical depression on September 13 to the east of the Virgin Islands...
caused damage on the island, she organized a concert to benefit those damaged by the storm.
Return to private life and college: 1977-1984
After her husband's defeat, Mayoral returned to college to finish her degree. In 1982 she obtained her Bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Business Management from the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón with a 4.00 GPA.
Return to La Fortaleza: 1985-1993
Mayoral became the First Lady again when Hernández Colón was reelected as Governor in 1984Puerto Rican general election, 1984
General elections were held in Puerto Rico on 6 November 1984. Rafael Hernández Colón of the Popular Democratic Party was elected Governor, whilst the PPD also won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Voter turnout was 88.9%.-Governor:-Resident Commissioner:-House of...
.
The next year, after the Mameyes Landslide in Ponce, Mayoral convinced the government to rebuild cement houses to the victims instead of wooden ones. Also, after Hurricane Hugo
Hurricane Hugo
Hurricane Hugo was a classical, destructive and rare Cape Verde-type hurricane which struck the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Montserrat, St. Croix, Puerto Rico and the USA mainland in South Carolina as a Category 4 hurricane during September of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season...
affected the island, Mayoral led the government and community efforts to raise funds to the victims of the storm. She was President of the Board of Directors of the Committee "Dale la Mano a Puerto Rico", which organized a marathon where they collected $15.6 million.
Mayoral also led an anti-drug campaign in schools called "Abre tus ojos a un mundo sin drogas". The campaign encouraged students to develop different artistic projects with an anti-drug theme. Celebrities like José Miguel Agrelot
José Miguel Agrelot
Giuseppe Michael Agrelot , better known as José Miguel Agrelot, was a comedian, radio and television host and media icon in Puerto Rico...
, Ednita Nazario
Ednita Nazario
Ednita Nazario is a Puerto Rican singer and songwriter who has achieved stardom both at home and abroad. She has been in the music business from a young age, and has released over twenty albums throughout her career....
, and Dagmar participated in the campaign, handing out awards and gifts to the winners.
Mayoral also led reforestation efforts in the island.
Later life
After her retirement from public life, Mayoral continued working on several projects, namely the Centro San Francisco in Ponce, and the construction of a sanctuary for the Virgin of the Lumen Dei Union in OrocovisOrocovis, Puerto Rico
Orocovis is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range, north of Villalba and Coamo; south of Morovis and Corozal; southeast of Ciales; east of Jayuya; and west of Barranquitas...
.
Mayoral died on January 7, 2003 of colon cancer. A school in Ponce was named in her honor, as well as the building of the Department of Family in San Juan.
Honors and awards
Mayoral received numerous awards and honors during her lifetime. Some of them were:- 1971, Young Mother of the Year
- 1973, Woman of the Year, receiving the plaque from Mayor of New York CityMayor of New York CityThe Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
John LindsayJohn LindsayJohn Vliet Lindsay was an American politician, lawyer and broadcaster who was a U.S. Congressman, Mayor of New York City, candidate for U.S... - 1975, Distinguished Woman from the Chamber of Commerce
- 1985, Honorary Member of the Commission of Businesswomen
- 1987, Recognition from the Philadelphia Council of Hispanic Organizations
- 1990, Recognition from FEMAFederal Emergency Management AgencyThe Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
for her efforts after Hurricane HugoHurricane HugoHurricane Hugo was a classical, destructive and rare Cape Verde-type hurricane which struck the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Montserrat, St. Croix, Puerto Rico and the USA mainland in South Carolina as a Category 4 hurricane during September of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season... - 1991, Honorary Member of the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
- 1992, Honorary Doctorate in Social Work from University of Aruba.
External links
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- German immigration to Puerto RicoGerman immigration to Puerto RicoGerman immigration to Puerto Rico increased when German businessmen immigrated to Puerto Rico during the early part of the 19th century. However, it was the economic and political situation in Europe during the early 19th century plus, the fact that the Spanish Crown issued the Royal Decree of...