The history of the world is full of great women who have made enormous contributions and have even shaped new ways of thinking. In every possible field there have been women whose work marked a clear before and after for the benefit of society as a whole. The arts are no exception. Music, especially, has always been associated with the names of great composers and musicians. The work of great women composers, however, has never received the same level of appreciation and, in fact, many of their names are not even well known. There are more than a few great names in Puerto Rican music, which, in particular, has been an art form in which Puerto Rican talent has excelled since very early in history. And although today, many women enjoy success, the truth is that it was not always so.