Background
Lolita Tizol Laguardia was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on June 19, 1890. When she was 10 years old she started taking music classes with his father who, seen her musical aptitude, started teaching her to play the violin.
Lolita Tizol Laguardia was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on June 19, 1890. When she was 10 years old she started taking music classes with his father who, seen her musical aptitude, started teaching her to play the violin.
She started her elementary education in Ponce and completed it in the United States. She subsequently studied with Domingo Cruz "Cocolia" and Aberano Colon. She also studied under Brindis de Salas, the Cuban musician, while Salas was staying in Puerto Rico.
Her parents were Cosme Tizol and Saturnina Laguardia. As her musical abilities were further recognized, Lolita was offered a scholarship to study music in Boston. Her father, however, counseled her that in Puerto Rico music was not given the recognition that it deserved, and sent her to Alabama to study education and prepare herself as a teacher.
Tizol Laguardia graduated with a degree in Education and a specialization in Home Economics.
Returning to Puerto Rico five years after leaving to Alabama, Tizol took the necessary Puerto Rico teachers" exam and started teaching in barrio Semil in Juana Diaz. A year later she taught in Coamo and subsequently in Ponce.
Tizol spent her life educating children at a time when most people in Ponce, as most of Puerto Rico, did not know how to read and write, and when teachers were paid only $50USD per month, even in the large cities. Under these circumstances, Tizol, overcoming all challenges, gave of herself to help others
In Ponce she also became school principal.
Tizol Laguardia was the first principal to institute a school lunch program and, later, a breakfast program for undernourished children. She also toured the island giving concerts. In Ponce there is a street in the Ponce Historic Zone named after her.
In Ponce there is also a full-body statue of Tizol with two pupils.
Also in Ponce, she is recognized at the Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.
Tizol Laguardia was also a member of the Ponce Symphony Orchestra.