Maria Andreu Research Paper

Words: 487
Pages: 2

Hispanic-Americans have shaped Florida. Florida has been shaped by Hispanic-Americans for many years.Maria Andreu on January 7, 1860, was the first female Hispanic-American to serve as an official U.S. lighthouse keeper for the Coast Guard in Florida. She was a lighthouse keeper until 1862 right before the U.S. civil war. Maria Andreu helped shaped Florida because she was recognized to be the most qualified in St. Augustine by the community and she had a lasting impact on the state as a whole.
The community recognized Maria to be the most qualified in St. Augustine. The community had recognized this and made sure that she was lighthouse keeper which had to be appointed by the current president of the time. As stated in the text, “Maria Mestre de los Dolores Andreu had lived and worked at the St. Augustine lighthouse while her husband was keeper from 1824-1845 and 1854-1859,” (“How a Hispanic woman made Florida history at the St. Augustine lighthouse”).
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Maria having the job had a lasting impact on Florida because it allowed a more diverse group of people to hold jobs in the Coast Guard. “As light keepers go, St. Augustine has one of the most diverse groups in the United States,” stated in the text (“Florida's First Female Lighthouse Keeper”). After Maria holding the position as lighthouse keeper it allowed more diversity in Coast Guard jobs especially in St. Augustine. Maria also allowed more women to have occupations in the Coast Guard. As stated in the text, “Maria Andreu’s leadership and perseverance as keeper of the lighthouse inspired generations of women to shine as female employees within federal service through her beacon of light,” (How a Hispanic woman made Florida history at the St. Augustine lighthouse). This led to women having an opportunity to have a vocation in the Coast Guard. Maria Andreu being a lighthouse keeper had lasting effects on