She was born in 1768 in Valladolid, now Morelia, in the state of Michoacán. She died in Mexico City on March 2, 1829. She was the first heroine of Mexican Independence. She is known as "La Corregidora," an honorary title given to her for being the wife of the corregidor (magistrate) of Querétaro, Don Miguel Domínguez. She was orphaned at a young age and was taken under the care of her sister, María Sotero Ortíz.
In 1789, she was sent to the Colegio de las Vizcaínas, where she remained until 1791, the year she met Miguel Domínguez, whom she married and later moved with to the city of Querétaro.
Meanwhile, in France, some writers, through their works, spread ideas of liberty, equality, and human rights, which inspired libertarian movements in the Americas. In New Spain (colonial Mexico), creoles who had the opportunity to study were influenced by these ideals and began to envision independence from Spanish rule.
Over time, some intellectuals and landowners, confident that the discontent among the people would garner support, planned a rebellion to achieve independence from the Spanish Crown. Doña Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez stood out for her strong character, as well as her generosity and charity toward the oppressed. Her sympathy for the independence cause became evident when she convinced her husband to offer their home as a meeting place for the conspirators. These gatherings were disguised as literary soirées and were attended by figures such as Miguel Hidalgo, Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama, and Mariano Abasolo.
The plan was to launch the insurgent movement on October 1, 1810, but 15 days prior, Joaquín Arias betrayed the conspiracy. Doña Josefa quickly acted to communicate this news to Ignacio Allende by sending Ignacio Pérez to San Miguel el Grande. This action marked the beginning of the first libertarian struggle in Latin America.
For the next three years, she dedicated her efforts to promoting the insurgent cause. This led Fernando Romero to accuse her before the viceroy for her anti-Spanish activities, resulting in her arrest and confinement in the Convent of Santa Teresa. She remained there until 1817, when the new viceroy, Don Juan Ruiz de Apodaca, ordered her release.
Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez, "La Corregidora" (1768-1829)
Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez, a key figure in Mexican history, was born in 1768 in Valladolid, now Morelia, Michoacán, and died in Mexico City on March 2, 1829. She is considered one of the first heroines of Mexican Independence and is popularly known as "La Corregidora," an honorary title derived from her marriage to the corregidor of Querétaro, Don Miguel Domínguez.
Early Life and Marriage:
Orphaned at a young age, Josefa was raised by her sister, María Sotero Ortíz. In 1789, she enrolled in the Colegio de las Vizcaínas, an educational institution for women, where she remained until 1791. That same year, she met Miguel Domínguez, whom she married. After their marriage, the couple settled in the city of Querétaro.
Historical Context and Enlightenment Ideas:
In Europe, Enlightenment ideas, spread through the works of various writers, promoted concepts such as liberty, equality, and human rights. These ideas crossed the Atlantic and influenced the creoles of New Spain, who, having access to education, were inspired by the desire for freedom and began to envision independence from Spanish rule.
Participation in the Conspiracy of Querétaro:
Amid this social and political fervor, intellectuals and landowners, convinced of popular support due to widespread discontent, planned a rebellion against the Spanish Crown. Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez stood out for her strong character, generosity, and charity toward the oppressed. Her commitment to the independence cause led her to convince her husband, Corregidor Miguel Domínguez, to offer their home as a meeting place for the conspirators. These meetings were disguised as literary gatherings to avoid suspicion. Among the attendees were prominent figures such as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama, and Mariano Abasolo.
The original plan was to launch the insurgent movement on October 1, 1810. However, fifteen days prior, the conspiracy was betrayed by Joaquín Arias. Faced with imminent danger, Doña Josefa acted swiftly and decisively. She sent Ignacio Pérez to San Miguel el Grande to warn Ignacio Allende about the discovery of the conspiracy. This crucial action by Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez hastened the start of the struggle for Mexican Independence, considered the first libertarian movement in Latin America.
Aftermath and Final Years:
For the next three years, Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez continued to actively work to promote the insurgent cause. Her activities in favor of independence drew the attention of the viceregal authorities. Fernando Romero accused her before the viceroy for her "anti-Spanish" activities, resulting in her arrest and confinement in the Convent of Santa Teresa. She remained imprisoned until 1817, when the new viceroy, Juan Ruiz de Apodaca, ordered her release.
Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez died in Mexico City in 1829. Her bravery, determination, and commitment to the independence cause have made her a national symbol and a pivotal figure in Mexican history. Her actions in alerting the insurgents were a decisive factor in the start of the movement that would ultimately lead to the country's independence.
