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 PageMarie Peterson
This was a great article and congratulations on the award. This was an interesting read on such an important part of the Mexican Revolution. Women stepped up to work toward progress even against the resistance of men they were trying to help. It’s sad to read stories about how even in the face of an enemy women were seen as less than to fight for what was right. Good job!
05/03/2023
9:39 am
Christopher Morales
This article was written well. I even watched the youtube video you provided, and I feel like you covered it nicely. I cannot believe that even after her proven accomplishments they still removed her from the regime. This speaks a lot to the times and how women were treated. Her determination to start a militia of women to help fight and push the war efforts showed her courage and desire to help. She is a great example for everyone to not give up.
05/03/2023
9:39 am
Anayetzin Chavez Ochoa
Finally!!! I get to read about women being part of the “big guns” instead of just being mothers at home! I remember being informed that Mexican Presidents only serve once, but for six years, unlike the United States who serve twice for four years. Her removal from the army reminds me of when Mulan revealed herself (accidentally), as she was praised under her male counterpart’s alias, but then scorned. I’m glad to learn of my people’s history, especially from the side of the women as women today fight for their equality on the streets of Mexico and die for such a right. Beautiful article!
06/03/2023
9:39 am
Adelina Wueste
This was such an excellent article! It was very interesting to learn about a female soldier who hid her identity to fight for an important cause. I found it to be sad how despite Petra being such a strong fighter, she was stripped of all her recognition and praise once she revealed that she was a woman. Its inspiring to know that Petra was able to organize a group of women who had been in a similar situation to hers. It was unfortunate that although Petra and the other women made clear and successful efforts in the revolution, they were not recognized for their work and were looked down on because they were women. It was great to hear about Petras constant work and strong drive despite being doubted by the men round her.
07/03/2023
9:39 am
Kristen Leary
This is a really cool article! I can’t say I knew anything of it until reading this article, so I’m glad I got to learn about these women from your wonderfully written article. Your writing style is very engaging, and from the very first paragraph you are able to hook the reader. I enjoyed reading about Petra, and I noticed the parallels to the story of Mulan, which I thought was cool. Great article and congratulations on the award.
09/03/2023
9:39 am
Anna Steck
I found this article very interesting. I was unfamiliar with Petra Herrera and her story and I was fascinated by all the ways she stood firm in what she believed. What a powerful woman. It also shows very clearly how women were valued at the time as she had to conceal her identity in order to be respected when she was clearly very talented. What an interesting article.
10/03/2023
9:39 am
Barbara Ortiz
What a great article and congratulations on the award. What a great subject to learn about her role during the Mexican revolution. Especially during Women’s history month, its good to see stories of women and how they made contributions through the ages. I also like to see the contributions of minority women showcased. Her bravery was tremendous and yet very interesting how she met her death.
12/03/2023
9:39 am
Sofia Perez
Hi Regina, fantastic article! I do not know much about Mexico’s history, so reading about their revolution was very informative. La Adelita has a very significant meaning in Mexico’s Revolution, as it conveys the rise of women. One of many impactful women at the time, Petra Herrera, took action as she helped fight for independence, which was not easy as she got shot three times.
17/03/2023
9:39 am
Alejandro Fernandez
In this article, the author highlights Petra Herrera and her courageous efforts during the Mexican Revolution. In particular, it was interesting to learn about the different ways women contributed to the revolution as well as the discrimination they continued to receive. Ultimately, it’s important to recognize that historical figures like Petra Herrera are ones that paved the future not only for women, but individuals across the globe.
19/03/2023
9:39 am
Jared Sherer
Ms. De La Parra takes an obscure topic (admittedly based on the misogyny of the time) and makes it come alive for the reader. The time of the Mexican Revolution, especially in Mexico, was a time of very rigid gender and family roles. Men were fighters and women were caretakers and family-oriented. Women were not soldiers and were not put in danger in combat. Generala Herrera broke that mold, several times, despite even her revolutionary brethren (including even Pacho Villa) being adamantly against her, as a woman, being among their soldier ranks. Ms. De La Parra makes it clear this was a lifelong struggle, with Herrera being drummed out of the fighting force and made to create her own women’s brigade. It is important to seek out these stories of women and others who have largely been ignored by the history books and historians, and highlight their unique stories for future generations who would otherwise not know of their heroics and downright grit. This is not “revisionist” history, but is in fact expanding the story of prior generations to tell the full (sometimes not politically correct) story of our forebears. Well done, Ms. De La Parra, on bringing the story of Petra Herrara, soldadera, to light for this and future generations.
05/03/2023
9:39 am