Pura Belpré became the first Puerto Rican librarian at the New York Public Library in 1921.

Pura Belpré (February 2, 1899 – July 1, 1982) was the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City. She was also a writer, collector of folktales, and puppeteer. Belpré traveled all over New York, from the Bronx to the Lower East Side, telling stories with puppets in Spanish and English.

Listen to the NPR Podcast Boundbreakers: People Who Make a Difference.