Pacífica Fernández

Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno (August 23, 1828 – March 31, 1885) was the inaugural First Lady of Costa Rica and wife of President José María Castro Madriz.^[1] She was born in San José, Costa Rica on August 23, 1828 to her parents former Head of State Manuel Fernández Chacón and Dolores Oreamuno Muñoz de la Trinidad, and was sister of President Próspero Fernández Oreamuno.^[2]

Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno
First Lady of Costa Rica
In role May 8, 1847 – August 31, 1848
Succeeded by	Felipa Montes de Oca Gamero
Personal details
Born	(1828-08-23)August 23, 1828 San José, Costa Rica
Died	March 31, 1885(1885-03-31) (aged 56) San José, Costa Rica
Spouse	José María Castro Madriz
Parent(s)	Dolores Oreamuno Muñoz de la Trinidad and Manuel Fernández Chacón
Known for	First Lady of Costa Rica and designer of current Flag of Costa Rica

She married José María Castro Madriz on June 29, 1843, who later became Head of State (1847–1848) and President of the Republic of Costa Rica (1848–1849 and 1866–1868). She still holds the title as the youngest First Lady or spouse of a Costa Rican head of state, as she was only 18 when her husband first gained power.^[3]

She suggested a red stripe be added to the flag of Costa Rica,^[4] based on the flag of France. The new flag was first sewn on November 12, 1848.^[5]

Fernández died in San José, Costa Rica on March 31, 1885.

References

1. Vila, Pablo; Fernández l'Hoeste, Héctor D (2018). Sound, Image, and National Imaginary in the Construction of Latin/o American Identities. New York, London, Lanham, Boulder: Lexington Books. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-4985-6523-3.
2. Universidad de Costa Rica; Escuela de Derecho; Universidad de Costa Rica; Facultad de Derecho; Colegio de Abogados (Costa Rica) (1963). "Revista de ciencias jurídicas". Revista de ciencias jurídicas (in Spanish) (31–33): 108. ISSN 0034-7787 – via WorldCat.
3. Acuña de Chacón, Angela (1969). La mujer costarricense a través de cuatro siglos (in Spanish). Vol. 1. San José, Costa Rica: Impr. Nacional. p. 75.
4. Streissguth, Thomas (2004). Costa Rica in Pictures. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Co. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-8225-1168-7.
5. Books, Firefly (2003). Firefly Guide to Flags of the World. Toronto: Firefly Books. p. 57. ISBN 9781552978139.