Ana María O'Neill
Ana Maria O'Neill (March 7,1894-May 30,1981) born in the town of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was an advocate of women's rights.
O'Neill graduated from the Normal School of the University of Puerto Rico, where she earned a teachers certificate in 1915. She gave classes, until she decided to go to New York to continue her education. There O'Neill attended the University of Columbia, where she graduated with a Master's degree.
O'Neill returned to Puerto Rico, and in 1929 and she became the first women to be appointed a catedra in the College of Comerence.
As a women's rights activist, she urged women to participate in the every political aspect of the nation and to defend their right to vote.
O'Neill enrolled in the Rochdale Institude of the National School of Cooperativisum, where earned a diploma, which recognized her as a Cooperative leader. She fought for the Cooperative movement in Puerto Rico and was instrumental in the passing of the Cooperative Law, called: "The General Law of Cooperative Societies", in 1946. O'Neill was also the founder of the "Cooperative Institude" of the University of Puerto Rico.
Ana Maria O'Neill died in the City of San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 30,1981.