Celestina Cordero y Molina was a pioneering figure in Puerto Rican history, known for her advocacy for education, labor rights, and social justice. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Molina was part of a family of libertos, individuals who were freed from slavery before the official abolition of slavery in 1873 by the Spanish government. Raised by her parents, Lucas Cordero and Rita Molina, who valued education and financial independence, Cordero y Molina was influenced by their example and teachings.

Molina's entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish the first school for girls in 1820, breaking barriers and providing educational opportunities for young women from diverse backgrounds. She was a paid teacher, which allowed her to escape the limitations of domestic servitude and assume a leadership role that challenged societal norms for Black women at the time. Cordero y Molina's dedication to education and empowerment went beyond teaching literacy and mathematics; she instilled in her students a sense of efficacy and independence, encouraging them to question societal expectations and strive for intellectual freedom.

Throughout her life, Cordero y Molina fought against systems of oppression, including slavery, patriarchy, and unfair labor practices, through her work in education and advocacy for gender and racial equity. Her legacy continues to inspire modern educators and activists, such as Professor Virginia Sánchez Korrol, who carry on her mission of promoting social justice and equality in education.

Celestina Cordero y Molina made significant contributions to labor, gender, and racial equity in Puerto Rico through her pioneering work in education and advocacy for social justice. Some key contributions include:

1. Establishment of the first girls' school in Puerto Rico in 1820, providing educational opportunities for young women from diverse backgrounds and breaking gender stereotypes in education.
2. Advocacy for racial equity by creating a school where students from all backgrounds learned together, regardless of race or socioeconomic status.
3. Fight for recognition as a teacher by the Spanish government, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the labor and contributions of women educators.
4. Promotion of labor rights by being a paid teacher and entrepreneur, setting an example of financial independence and leadership for Black women.
5. Challenge of societal norms by instilling in her students a sense of efficacy and independence, encouraging them to question and transcend gender, racial, and class stereotypes.
6. Legacy of dismantling systems of oppression through her conscientização, or awareness and action against social, political, and economic oppression, paving the way for future generations to continue the fight for social justice and equality in education.