“I want to live free”: who are the women who fought for Mexico's independence

In the history of Mexico's Independence, there are many men who stood out and their names are in gold letters on the main buildings, but the insurgent struggle not only involved them, but also women who came together to give freedom to the homeland.

They were an important part of the struggle for independence thanks to their courage, talent and dedication, since they managed to give the country a different direction and gave homeland. The contribution was from all social sectors, they participated as nurses, warriors, mediators, spies and in care tasks.

María de la Soledad Leona Camila Vicario Fernández de San Salvado r, stood out for being a woman who faced the women's mandates of her time, broke schemes. He was born on April 10, 1789 in Mexico City, which was then the capital of the viceroyalty of New Spain. The privileged position of Vicario's Creole family served him to have a developed critical education, his studies were Fine Arts and Sciences.

She was a prominent journalist, she participated in the insurgent movement as an informant of everything that happened in Mexico City.

He published in newspapers such as The Federalist, The American Patriotic Weekly and The American Illustrator, for his writings. In the latter she was contacted by the insurgents when the War of Independence began. In addition, the information he transmitted was essential, and he also donated part of his fortune to achieve the consummation of independence.

María Josefa Crescencia Ortiz Tellez-Girón, who is better known as Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez (the Corregidora) was born on April 19, 1773 in Mexico. When she was little, she was orphaned and her older sister took care of her. She was a determined woman who for her time had the courage to want to study, she sent a letter to the College of San Ignacio de Loyola in which she said she wanted to be admitted, a situation that was rare for women at that time.

From the age of 23, a critical stance has been formed against the regime of New Spain. The corregidora was fundamental to the consolidation of Independence because of her liberal strategies and thoughts. It helped in all the organizing processes for the struggle, although it is recognized because it warned the warlords that they were discovered. His participation was of impact in other respects, as he also sent money to the police or errands for them to support.

Josefa's warning was the key to Miguel Hidalgo raising the people into arms in the early morning of September 16, 1810.

She was a fighter next to her husband, fought against men during the insurgent movement. One of the most representative moments was when he took a rifle from one of the wounded to face the battle. He died in Chichihualco in February 1821 when he was defending alongside Vicente Guerrero's troops.

She was a conspirator who helped the movement continue after Miguel Hidalgo was arrested. The 1811 Conspiracy was planned in their house, and during the meeting they received the news of the apprehension, which made those present think that the struggle was over, but Mariana said:

He was born on November 18, 1779 in Tixtla, Guerrero. She was an insurgent soldier who fought together with José María Morelos and Pavón. Nicolás Bravo decided that in order for them to have food it would be necessary to kill one in ten soldiers and she volunteered.

The heroine of the struggle for independence was born in Patzcuaro, Michoacán. She had access to education and knowledge that not all women of her time could have, she focused on the readings of the Enlightenment, which influenced her liberal positions. Bocanegra created a communication network in Patzcuaro to help the insurgents, and meetings were held at his home to discuss the Independence movement.

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