Henrietta Boggs

Henrietta Boggs was a women's rights activist who promoted social justice.  Henrietta Boggs was born in Alabama, where racial division in the early 1920's provided for a very sheltered childhood.  She was formally educated and surrounded by inequality.  While studying in college, she traveled to South America and fell in love with a local farmer.  She cast aside her pampered southern lifestyle at the age of 23 to marry Jose Figueres Ferer.  Her husband was a vocal supporter of governmental reform in Costa Rica. The couple was forced into political exile for their resistance.   Despite the danger, they smuggled arms into Costa Rica to support the growing revolution.  For their leadership during rebellion Ferer was elected President of Costa Rica in 1953.  Boggs became the first lady.  Under pressure from his wife,  Figueres granted women and Afro-Costa Ricans the right to vote.  During her years as first lady she assisted and eased countries poverty problems.  After she separated from her husband she moved back to Alabama where she supported the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the civil rights movement.