Ortiz de Domínguez, Josefa (1768–1829)

Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez (b. 5 September 1768; d. 1829), Mexican insurgent heroine, known as "la Corregidora." Born in Morelia, she was the wife of Miguel Domínguez (1756–1830), who became corregidor (provincial magistrate) of Querétaro. She was in contact with various autono-mists and participated in the conspiracy of 1810. When the conspiracy was denounced, Domínguez apprehended several of the participants and locked up his wife to prevent her from informing the others. But Josefa was able to send word of the danger to Ignacio Allende (1769–1811). Upon receiving the news, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811) initiated the rebellion of 16 September. Confined to the convent of Santa Clara, Josefa was freed shortly thereafter. She continued aiding the insurgency. In 1813 the authorities initiated proceedings against her, believing her to be the "Anne Boleyn" of the movement, and she was imprisoned in Mexico City in the convent of Santa Teresa until 1817. When Agustín de Iturbide (1783–1824) proclaimed himself emperor in 1822, she refused to be a maid of honor of the empress. She died in Mexico City in 1829. In 1878, the Congress of Querétaro declared her Benemérita de la Patria.

See alsoMexico, Wars and Revolutions: Mexican Revolution .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Francisco Sosa, Biografías de mexicanos distinguidos (1985), pp. 773-783.

Hugh M. Hamill, Jr., The Hidalgo Revolt: Prelude to Mexican Independence, 2d ed. (1970); Diccionario Porrúa de historia, geografía y biografía de México, vol. 2 (1986), p. 2152.

Additional Bibliography

Agraz García de Alba, Gabriel. Los corregidores Don Miguel Domínguez y Doña María Josefa Ortiz y el inicio de la independencia. Mexico City: G. Agraz García de Alba, 1992.

Zárate Toscano, Verónica. Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, La Corregidora. Mexico City: Comisión Nacional para las Celebraciones del 175 Aniversario de la Independencia Nacional y 75 Aniversario de la Revolución Mexicana, 1985.

                                          Virginia Guedea