Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez

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Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, La Corregidora, heroine of Mexican independence

Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez (September 8, 1768 – March 2, 1829) was a conspirator and supporter of the Mexican War of Independence. She is frequently referred to as La Corregidora.

She was born to Juan José Ortiz – a captain of Los Morados regiment – and his wife Manuela Girón in Valladolid (today Morelia). Her father was killed in action early in her infancy and her mother died soon after. Maria Sotero Ortiz, Josefa's sister, took care of her upbringing and managed to secure a place for her in the prestigious Colegio de las Vizcaínas in 1789. She married Miguel Domínguez, a frequent visitor of the college, in 1791.

In 1802, Miguel Domínguez was appointed by the Viceroy of New Spain to the office of Corregidor (a kind of magistrate) in the city of Querétaro. During that time, Doña Josefa took care of household chores and the education of the two sons from her husband's previous marriage, although they eventually had 12 children together.

Doña Josefa identified herself strongly with the abuse suffered by the indigenous people and the criollo community on the hands of continental Spaniards. Indigenous people were oppressed and Criollos were often seen as second-class citizens – by virtue of being born in New Spain as opposed to metropolitan Spain – and were relegated to secondary roles in the administration of the colony. This obviously created discontent among criollos who soon started to organize "literary" societies where works of the Enlightenment banned by the Catholic Church were discussed. Doña Josefa herself attended some of the early meetings and eventually convinced her husband to host a number of them in their house. The meetings, attended by figures such as Miguel Hidalgo and Ignacio Allende, quickly acquired political overtones.

The overthrow of Ferdinand VII as a result of the Peninsular War in Spain suddenly increased the prospect of independence for the colonies. The meetings in Doña Josefa's house became central to the conspiracy and much of the insurgent planning (if not all) was done there, and she even supported the insurgents financially.

After some planning, the rebels had already started to store weapons and supplies in safe houses. The beginning of the revolution was planned for December 8, 1810. However, on September 13 the conspirators were betrayed by an insider, who informed the viceroyal authorities about rebel activities in Querétaro. Unaware of his wife's allegiance, Corregidor Domínguez was asked to conduct a house search in the town in order to apprehend the rebel leaders. He locked Doña Josefa in her room to prevent her from relaying this information to her fellow conspirators, and, at the same time, to hide any link with them. By that time, however, the rebels had a large following, and Doña Josefa eventually managed to get a warning out through the town mayor, Don Ignacio Pérez. The news allowed the leaders of the conspiracy to flee the town and prompted Miguel Hidalgo to issue the famous Grito de Dolores in the early hours of September 16, an event that signaled the start of the Mexican War of Independence.

Eventually, the role Doña Josefa and her husband played in the conspiracy was uncovered. They were imprisoned separately. Doña Josefa was sent to the monastery of Santa Clara, in Querétaro, and then to Mexico City to stand trial. She was found guilty, despite her husband's efforts as her lawyer, and secluded in the monastery of Santa Teresa. Due to her rebellious character, she was soon transferred to the nunnery of Santa Catalina de Sena, which was considered to be stricter in terms of discipline. She was finally released in 1817, under oath that she would refrain from supporting the rebels.

After independence was secured, Mexican Emperor Agustín de Iturbide, in 1822, offered Doña Josefa the position of lady-in-waiting for his wife, Ana Duarte de Iturbide. However, La Corregidora believed the establishment of a Mexican Empire, instead of a Republic, was against the ideals she had fought for during the revolution, and thus refused the honor. In 1823, she was designated a "woman of honor" by the empress, a tribute which she also rejected.

During the late years of her life, Doña Josefa was involved with several liberal groups, some of them radical in nature. She always refused any reward from her involvement in the independence movement arguing that she was only doing her duty as a patriot.

Doña Josefa died March 2, 1829, in Mexico City. She was originally buried in the nunnery of Santa Catalina de Sena, but later her remains were moved to Querétaro to the nunnery of Santa Cruz. The government of Querétaro declared her Benemérita del Estado.

She is revered in Mexico. Her portrait has appeared on coins and stamps. The La Corregidora stadium in Querétaro is named after her, as well as the municipality of Corregidora in the same State.