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PRESS KIT While visiting an aunt and uncle in the exotic countryside of Costa Rica, a young Southern belle from Alabama accepted a ride on the back of a motorcycle belonging to a local charismatic farmer -- a ride that would propel her down narrow mountain roads and into history. First Lady of the Revolution is the remarkable story of Henrietta Boggs, who fell in love with a foreign land and the man destined to transform its identity. Her marriage to Jose ‘Don Pepe’ Figueres in 1941 led to a decade-long journey through activism, exile, political upheaval and, ultimately, lasting progressive reforms. First Lady of the Revolution is not only a depiction of the momentous struggle to shape Costa Rica’s democratic identity; it’s also a portrayal of how a courageous woman escaped the confines of a traditional, sheltered existence to expand her horizons into a new world, and live a life she never imagined. DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT Some biographies help us understand broad historical themes, some appeal to the universal emotions of the human experience, while others simply entertain with vivid characters and astonishing events. First Lady of the Revolution somehow manages to do all three. This is a rare breed of epic, recalling hemisphere-rocking events—protests, exile, revolution, war, societal change—all through the eyes of a young social reformer, who also happened to be a Southern belle. When I first met Henrietta Boggs in December of 2009, I was quickly captivated by her eloquence, boundless energy and indomitable spirit. At 98 years young, she stays stunningly productive, presenting on a TEDx stage for thousands, crafting articles for the magazine River Region Living, acting as a member on several non-profit boards and as a docent at the local museum, and regularly entertaining an eclectic mix of artists and literary talents at her home. Beyond being amused by Boggs’ sharp humor, I became fascinated with her life’s journey and her improbable marriage to José Figueres, Costa Rica’s little giant, and the dramatic events that would sweep Figueres into the Presidency and Boggs into the role of the country’s Primera Dama, or First Lady. Henrietta Boggs’s story—what she observed and endured in Central America from early in World War II through her husband’s first presidency at the start of the 1950s—is not just her own, nor is it only Costa Rica’s; this is a tale of deep historical relevance reaching even beyond one hemisphere. Through Boggs’ eyewitness accounts, this program will stimulate a new understanding of social reforms as they happen, exploring the broad historical and political themes that underlie them. First Lady of the Revolution is a singular opportunity to tell an intensely personal saga whose sheer heft and transnational scope are not mere backdrop, but the essence of the audience-mesmerizing adventure, horror, heartbreak and enchantment that defined one brave woman’s experience. – Andrea Kalin, Director, Writer and Producer, First Lady of the Revolution February 3, 1948: February 13, 1947: Presidenti al Electi on of 1948. Oti lio Oppositi on leader Ulate defeats Calderon by a vote of Oti lio Ulate announces 54,931 to 44,438, but the outcome is he will run for challenged immediately. October 8, 1941: February 7, 2010: president, and makes Laura Chinchilla is Henriett a Boggs Figueres his Jefe de February 28, 1948: and José Figueres acción in case of a The electoral tribunal declares Ulate as elected President are married fraudulent electi on. the new president, but the third judge of Costa Rica, the in a small civil dissents. fi rst woman to hold ceremony before July 21, 1947: the positi on. Huelga de Brazos March 1, 1948: the mayor of San Congress moves to annul the electi on. Caídos – a general sit- August 13, 2010: Jose, a friend down strike in the city Military troops storm the house of Dr. of Figueres. of Cartago is organized Carlos Luis Valverde, where Ulate and his Muni Figueres, TIMELINE The ceremony, in protest of Picado’s closest advisors are meeti ng. Valverde is José Figueres daughter of performed all in administrati on. killed, and Ulate is arrested. serves his Henriett a Boggs Autumn, 1937: Spanish, is a small The government third term as and José Figueres, March 12, 1948: Henriett a and informal aff air, March 11, 1945: responds with a is appointed The Boggs The Revoluti on begins! Figueres’ army President of Family Boggs begins with only two Figueres is violent crackdown on as Costa Rica’s protesters. of “Nati onal Liberati on” captures San Costa Rica. moves from her studies at witnesses and involved in the Isidro and its strategic airfi eld. Ambassador to the Henriett a asks Spartanburg to Birmingham no celebrati on or creati on of the August 3, 1947: 1970-74 United States. Sep 25, 1906: Birmimgham, Southern recepti on. new oppositi on Two weeks later, in March 13, 1948: for a divorce José Figueres April 20, 1943: Henriett a and Henriett a José “Don Alabama, College, where party, Parti do another example of Figueres learns that the Costa Rican and leaves serves his 2010 José Martí , army is fast approaching La Lucha Muni live in publishes Pepe” where she becomes December 8, 1941: Social growing discontent, Figueres, taking second term sin Fin. Knowing the base cannot a reporter eldest son of Demócrata— 8,000 women strike the children Paris, France for Married to a Figueres is Henriett a’s Costa Rica enters be defended, he retreats into the (and fi rst José Figueres the Social in front of the with her as a year before Legend, about born in San father started and writer for World War II on mountains. The army occupies La elected term) and Henriett a, is Democrati c presidenti al house she returns to returning to her marriage to Ramón, Costa a constructi on the student the side of the to demand electoral Lucha (just as Henriett a and her as President of born. Alabama. New York. José Figueres. Rica. business. newspaper. Allies. Party. rights. children escape) and burns it to the Costa Rica. ground. 1906 1923 1937 1941 1943 1945 1947 1948 1951 1953-58 1961-62 1992 1918 1928 1940 1942 1944 1946 1948 1949 1952 1955 1990 2016 March – April, 1948: A er living with Henriett a works May 6, 1918: Figueres returns Summer, 1940: Jul 8, 1942: 11th Feb 13, 1944: Feb 19, 1946: Henriett a and her children fl ee for November 7, 1949: June 9, 1990: March 3, 2016: Henriett a Boggs is to Costa Rica While on break With Henriett a’s One of Calderon’s Muni, daughter Villa Mills and eventually take refuge The Junta issues her parents in for the Costa Rican Don Pepe dies at Henriett a born in Spartan- and buys a small from school, encouragement, allies Teodoro of Henriett a and with American crews building the Pan- the Consti tuti on of Birmingham for mission to the age 83. delivers a TEDx burg, NC. farm, which Henriett a visits Figueres gives a Picado is elected José, is born. American Highway. 1949, which contains a year, Henrietta United Nati ons Talk in San José he names La her Uncle speech on live president in a numerous reforms, and her children with Ambassador about women’s Lucha sin Fin Vinell and Aunt highly disputed April 12, 1948: including confi rming move to New Alberto Cañas. rights and the radio, criti cizing Figueres’ army takes the city of Cartago, 1965 (“The Endless Ernesti ne at their electi on the military’s York City. changing roles the increasingly virtually assuring the fall of San José. Struggle”). coff ee farm in corrupt policies accompanied by abolishment and Henriett a marries of women in Costa Rica. Soon of President protests and violent April 13, 1948: granti ng women and medical innovator Costa Rica. aft er, she meets Calderon’s crackdowns. From The last batt le of the civil war takes minoriti es the right to Dr. Hugh Maguire a charismati c government. exile, Figueres place at Tejar. Government troops are vote. and moves to coff ee farmer He is arrested calls this “one of defeated by Figueres’ army. It is clear Montgomery, now that the government cannot win. named José on-air before the darkest days November 8, 1949: Alabama. 1924 Figueres. in Costa Rican La Junta Fundadora the broadcast April 28, 1948: Figueres studies in the history.” hands over the reins is complete Victory Parade: Figueres and his Army of 1996 United States, initi ally at February 11, and sent into Nati onal Liberati on march into San José, of government to MIT in Boston, but drops 1940: exile two days May 21, 1944: marking the offi cial end of the civil war. Oti lio Ulate, who Henriett a co-founds out to take a more“do-it- Rafael Calderón later. The exile Figueres returns serves as President Montgomery Living, May 8, 1948: yourself” approach to Guardia is takes José and to Costa Rica aft er unti l 1953. now known as River educati on in the Boston elected President his exile is lift ed The temporary government, La Junta Henriett a to Fundadora, is formed with José Figueres Region Magazine and New York Public by new President of Costa Rica. El Salvador, as its president. Figueres and Ulate (where she sti ll works Libraries. Guatemala and Picado. Thousands agree that the Junta will have 18 months to this day). eventually to greet Figueres at La to establish reforms and write a new Mexico. Sabana Airport with consti tuti on before handing power over chants of “Viva to the rightf ully elected president.