Arocho, Juanita 1910-1998.

A pioneering presence in the Puerto Rican community of East (Spanish) Harlem, she was a dedicated organizer and independentista who worked for the rights and freedoms of Puerto Ricans both on the island and in her adopted home of New York. Born in Lares, Puerto Rico in 1910, Arocho migrated to the United States in 1933 on the U.S.S. San Jacinto, joining the many other Puerto Ricans who took advantage of increased steamship travel between New York and the island to seek better opportunities abroad. She quickly became active in community and independence politics. Taking impetus from her work on the women's right to vote campaign in Puerto Rico and the inspirational political work of Pedro Albizu Campos, Arocho was involved in the founding of Casa Borínquen, La Asociación Cívica Lareña, the Comité de Manhattan del Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño, of which she was President, and worked as political assistant to Congressman Vito Marcantonio during three of his campaigns, starting in 1946. Arocho died on August 22, 1998 in Brooklyn, New York. She leaves behind a legacy exemplified by her extensive community work and support for the independence of Puerto Rico.

A pioneering presence in the Puerto Rican community of East (Spanish) Harlem, she was a dedicated organizer and independentista who worked for the rights and freedoms of Puerto Ricans both on the island and in her adopted home of New York. Born in Lares, Puerto Rico in 1910, Arocho migrated to the United States in 1933 on the U.S.S. San Jacinto, joining the many other Puerto Ricans who took advantage of increased steamship travel between New York and the island to seek better opportunities abroad. She quickly became active in community and independence politics.

Taking impetus from her work on the women's right to vote campaign in Puerto Rico and the inspirational political work of Pedro Albizu Campos, Arocho was involved in the founding of Casa Borínquen, La Asociación Cívica Lareña, the Comité Manhattan del Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño, of which she was President, and worked as political assistant to Congressman Vito Marcantonio during three of his campaigns, starting in 1946. Arocho died on August 22, 1998 in Brooklyn, New York. She leaves behind a legacy exemplified by her extensive community work and support for the independence of Puerto Rico.