Lebron, Lolita (1919–)

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Lebron, Lolita (1919–)

Puerto Rican nationalist and terrorist. Born 1919 in Lares, Puerto Rico; children: 2.

Led 3 men into the gallery of US House of Representatives (Mar 1, 1954), unfurled a Puerto Rican flag, then took out a gun and fired randomly into the assembly, as did her companions, wounding 5; along with companions, was sentenced to a 75-year prison term; considered by some in the Hispanic community as a political prisoner and freedom fighter, was freed after sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter (Sept 1979); continued to speak at pro-independence rallies in Puerto Rico and US.

See also Women in World History.