March 24, 2018
Spanish20
English translation21
La Adelita
Mexican Revolution
Mexico
Petra Herrera
Revolutionary Women
Regina de la Parra is a Senior at St. Mary’s University at San Antonio, Texas, and is double majoring in International & Global Studies and Environmental Science, as well as a certificate in Community Based Assessment and Evaluation. She was born in El Paso, Texas but grew up in sister city, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, two dynamic cities full of culture and traditions. Her childhood and experiences have inspired her to find her academic path as well as identify areas of need in the borderlands. In the future, she would like to go back home and give back to her community through research and reciprocity.
Author Portfolio PageEmilia Caballero Carmona
Hey Regina, I really loved your article! It was so interesting to learn about the details in Petra Herrera’s life and how she contributed to the Mexican revolution. It is so sad to see that she never got any praise for having the courage and ability to be a woman soldier. I am from Mexico and I remember learning about her in history class when I was little and I remember thinking she was an inspiration to me.
15/03/2021
9:39 am
Paul Garza
This article was very informative and so interesting! I really love that you chose this topic. This article really exposes Mexican Women as leaders and their contributions to society. Not many people know of the Adelitas or Petra Herrera herself. I really love that this article seeks to undo the patriarchal and machista narratives that Mexico pushes, erasing these amazing contribution of women to our history. Petra Herrera is a strong and momentous woman of Mexican History and I agree, she has earned her place in history and deserves more recognition. Well done!
17/03/2021
9:39 am
Aneesa Zubair
This is a very well-written article on a topic that I honestly wish were discussed more! Many people have heard the ballad of “La Adelita” but are unfamiliar with the true story behind it that the song inaccurately represented. Petra Herrera lived a remarkable life, and it was interesting to read about her experiences joining the army in disguise and subsequently being removed from it once she revealed her identity.
19/03/2021
9:39 am
Seth Roen
It is surprising that offend women play a vital part in wars, so they are national fables and legends to many countries. That goes without saying Petra Herrera does belong with this legendary woman. It takes a lot of courage to become a soldier, especially when women did not have many rights as a human—also, nice touch on adding the video with the Ballad of La Adelita.
21/03/2021
9:39 am
Kimberly Rubio
Petra Herrera is a perfect example of a strong, capable woman. It is unfortunate that she was never acknowledged properly during her lifetime. I don’t understand how, after proving herself during her time in the military, she was not accepted upon revealing her identity. Even once she was removed, she found a way to fight for a cause she was passionate about. When her group of women was disbanded, she decided to work as a spy. She was unstoppable.
22/03/2021
9:39 am
Christopher Hohman
Nice article. It is interesting that Mexico also has examples of women bucking social norms of their times and fighting in armed conflict. Petra and her woman’s brigade are examples of this. It was interesting to learn about the causes of the Mexican revolution as well. Portfolio Dias was an elitist and cared only for those he thought could properly develop Mexico into a modern country. However, his actions had a negative effect on those Mexicans who lived in rural areas and who practiced farming. Interestingly, Dias’ announcement of a fourth term tore the country apart into three-four separate camps.
19/09/2021
9:39 am
Vianne Beltran
Hi Regina, I have heard of soladeras but never specifically of Petra Herrera. It is disappointing that she was never recognized for her feats after revealing herself as a woman. I think it is even sadder that she believed her fellow male soldiers would overlook her gender because of her accomplishments. I think that reveals the type of person she was. If only there was a corrido more faithful to the story of these women soldiers.
06/03/2022
9:39 am
Daniel Gimena
This was a very interesting article because, as the author describes at the beginning, I related the term of Adelita to the story of pretty Mexican women, or even to some soap operas that had that name. However, it was very interesting to learn about the story of soldaderas and about Petra Herrera, who is one example of a women that, despite historic inequality between men and women, fought her rights and for what she believed in, showing how powerful a movement based on strong common ties and faith can be.
09/03/2022
9:39 am
Brissa Campos Toscano
Hi Regina! First, I want to congratulate you on winning Best Article in the Category of “Gender Studies” in 2018. Your article deserves recognition as it has a good style and strong arguments with strong examples. I like how in your introduction, you make the reader think your article was just going to be about the song and some characteristics. Still, you enter with your argument and how the Adelitas were a crucial part of the Mexican Revolution. I think your argument does enter into Gender Studies as it gives us the side of the women’s role during the Age of Independence, something we do not find in a textbook nowadays.
14/03/2022
9:39 am
Monserrat Garcia
This has to be one of the best articles I have ever read. The way it is written is extremely comprehendible and the information is vital for the empowerment of women. I personally had never heard of Petra Herrera but I am extremely glad I did. This article taught me about her life, motivation, endurance, bravery, and honor. Extremely interesting and important article, I also did not know Pancho Villa denied this women in his troops…
14/03/2021
9:39 am