Gladys Esther Tormes Gonzlez

Gladys Esther Tormes González, known as "Maja," was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in 1933. She attended several schools in Puerto Rico before moving to Ohio for college and later studying law in Spain. In 1970, she began working with the mayor of Ponce, developing an interest in local history. By 1974, she became the head archivist of the Archivo Histórico Municipal de Ponce, where she played a key role in establishing and preserving historical records. She opposed moving these records to San Juan, ensuring their preservation in Ponce. Over her career, she was involved in local carnivals and women's unions. Recognized for her contributions, she was honored as one of Ponce's distinguished citizens and featured in a documentary dedicated to her work. Her efforts have made the archive a vital resource for historians and scholars worldwide.