January 27, 2024 • 4 mins
Herminia Pérez de León was by birth
Yet the name that made me known was another
Being Mimí Derba was the cause of my mirth
It was inspired by a vigorous other
Someone compared me to this energy drink
It was fitting for all, even my mother
I always felt different and at the brink
I found the frivolous theatre profound
Sharing social criticism without a blink
Thus, acting in these plays took me off the ground
I started as a Zarzuela performer
El congreso feminista would dumfound
Our thespian company was a reformer
From Mexico we went to Cuba and back
I felt so accomplished as a transformer
Alfonso Camín’s poem was about my knack
When I wore a skin-coloured jumpsuit on stage
Giving wave to a very shocking feedback
I then embraced the silent cinema age
Above all I loved to be an activist
I founded the actor’s union for fair wage
It caused me some job loss but I did resist
Azteca Films was the movie company
That Enrique Rosas and I would assist
Our cinematic quest began wondrously
In 1917 we produced five films
But the Spanish pandemic changed things quickly
I was a resolute woman with no frills
I went to New York looking for a buyer
For our studio we lacked the selling skills
With Enrique we decided to retire
Azteca Films was over, but I was not
My creative impetus was still on fire
When in trouble I was accustomed to trot
I had written about Huerta’s suppression
As well as Maderismo’s rebellious lot
False gossip tried to sully my profession
Claiming a romance with Pablo González
During Carranza’s presidential session
I saw many political mirages
Cosmopolitan nationalism was one
With Porfiriato mixing with sagas
Some literary movements had just begun
Like Indigenismo that sparked a debate
Investment in our film industry was none
I tried to present a project to the State
To give it national funds like other arts
But my idea was not welcomed as great
I married Raúl de Anda, my ace of hearts
A soldier who courted me relentlessly
Our union did not last long in the love charts
My onscreen acting career grew quite quickly
Working in talkies with legends of my time
I had the chance to try radio swiftly
Television too, which felt like pantomime
I did traverse the age of sound broadcasting
But I was a silent lady in my prime
Through La Tigresa I was everlasting
The first female director in my nation
I showed how to be both gentle and blasting.
Yet the name that made me known was another
Being Mimí Derba was the cause of my mirth
It was inspired by a vigorous other
Someone compared me to this energy drink
It was fitting for all, even my mother
I always felt different and at the brink
I found the frivolous theatre profound
Sharing social criticism without a blink
Thus, acting in these plays took me off the ground
I started as a Zarzuela performer
El congreso feminista would dumfound
Our thespian company was a reformer
From Mexico we went to Cuba and back
I felt so accomplished as a transformer
Alfonso Camín’s poem was about my knack
When I wore a skin-coloured jumpsuit on stage
Giving wave to a very shocking feedback
I then embraced the silent cinema age
Above all I loved to be an activist
I founded the actor’s union for fair wage
It caused me some job loss but I did resist
Azteca Films was the movie company
That Enrique Rosas and I would assist
Our cinematic quest began wondrously
In 1917 we produced five films
But the Spanish pandemic changed things quickly
I was a resolute woman with no frills
I went to New York looking for a buyer
For our studio we lacked the selling skills
With Enrique we decided to retire
Azteca Films was over, but I was not
My creative impetus was still on fire
When in trouble I was accustomed to trot
I had written about Huerta’s suppression
As well as Maderismo’s rebellious lot
False gossip tried to sully my profession
Claiming a romance with Pablo González
During Carranza’s presidential session
I saw many political mirages
Cosmopolitan nationalism was one
With Porfiriato mixing with sagas
Some literary movements had just begun
Like Indigenismo that sparked a debate
Investment in our film industry was none
I tried to present a project to the State
To give it national funds like other arts
But my idea was not welcomed as great
I married Raúl de Anda, my ace of hearts
A soldier who courted me relentlessly
Our union did not last long in the love charts
My onscreen acting career grew quite quickly
Working in talkies with legends of my time
I had the chance to try radio swiftly
Television too, which felt like pantomime
I did traverse the age of sound broadcasting
But I was a silent lady in my prime
Through La Tigresa I was everlasting
The first female director in my nation
I showed how to be both gentle and blasting.
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