Women's Involvement In The Mexican Revolution
Both American women and Mexican women were directly involved with the Mexican
Revolution. American Women were the radicals and the revolutionaries. American
women were concerned with the welfare of the migrants and the impact that they had on
the bordering communities and states. Mexican women were the labor activist, radical
journalist, and militant intellectuals. Mexican women were fighting for political
leadership and liberal ideals. Throughout the Mexican Revolution women on both sides
had a impact on the politics and the welfare of the Mexican people,(see photos of women on the right). What were the actions
taken by these woman and how did each of their approaches differ?
American Woman
American Women's groups in California and Texas took great action toward the problems
caused and faced by the Mexican migrants. "Between 1911-1920 over 147,000 legal
Mexican immigrants lived in Texas and over 16,000 lived in California." These womens
groups obviously had a right to be concerned with the conditions that the immigrants
brought with them.
In Pasadena, California a woman"s group called on the mayor to improve the living
conditions of the towns Mexican residents. Pasadena was one of the most prosperous
communities in the country and the womans group felt that the mayor must improve the,
Mexican Slum. The living conditions consisted of no sanitary facilities in the homes and
the people were jammed into small rooms with ten to twelve other people. The efforts of
the womans group paid off. The Pasadena Mayor replied to their requests by hooking up
sewer lines and paved roads.
In San Antonio Texas, The Womens Board of Missions of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South created an institute for the Mexican immigrants. The institute was known
as The Wesley Community Home, which provided the necessities of life for over
6,000 Mexicans in one neighborhood. This institution also provided schooling for the
Mexican children. Other womens groups rallied to deal with the many problems that the
immigrants brought to the city of San Antonio, Texas specifically. The womens groups
were concerned not only about the humanitarian reasons, but also of the public health
hazard that the new Mexican settlements presented.
Mexican Woman
One of the biggest misconceptions about the Mexican Revolution was the involvement
that the Mexican women had during the war. Mexican woman were directly involved and
were known as the Soldaderas, or the female soldiers and field supporters. Women
followed the men to the battlefields. The women helped by cooking, nursing, providing
companionship, and often engaging in combat. Some Mexican women even assumed
leadership positions. Mexican womens groups often traveled across the border to the
US though, to speak out on their political beliefs about the revolution. The Womens
groups assumed protection on the American side of the border.
In the state of Texas, there were numerous radical and revolutionary woman. There were
radical publications such as, "La Mujer Moderna" and "Voz de la Mujer." There were
also womans clubs that worked on the Liberal Party like, "Daughters of Cuahtemoc."
The woman responsible for the development of the "Daughters of Cuahtemoc", was
Senora Flores de Andrade. This club was a semi-secret organization that worked with
the Flores Magon Brothers in fighting the dictatorship of Don Porfirio Diaz. The object of
the club was to fight for liberal ideals and to establish branches of the womans club in all
parts of the states that would carry on an intense propaganda. Senora Flores continued to
worked out of her home. Senora Flores was receiving messages from the Flores Magon
Brothers and her home ended up becoming a, conspiracy center against the
dictatorship. As the uprising of the revolutionary movement increased, Senora Flores
began to prepare. Senora Flores collected money, clothes, medicine, and even
ammunition and arms. The American Police and the Department of Justice began to get
suspicious but did not find any evidence to convict Senora Flores on her plotting. When
American authorities continued to follow Senora Flores and her comrades, she decided to
escape to the American side and take cover on a ranch. Senora Flores was caught by the
American police eventually and was sentenced for death. Senora Flores resoled with the
American Colonels rifle and he then ordered all his soldiers to, throw their rifles at the
feet of the Mexican Woman. Senora Flores escaped her death after President Taft
ordered her liberty. Senora Flores became less involved in political affairs and is
convinced that the, revolution promised a great deal to the Mexican people but never
accomplished anything.
Both Mexican Women and American Women had involvment in the Mexican Revolution,(see photos on the right).
While Mexican Women faught for political advacemnet, American Women faught for
humanitarian advancement. But both sides inevitably wanted what was best for the welfare of the Mexican people.(8)(9)
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Baja Ensenada,(no date). Mexican women and children parade down the street in support of the revolution. Mexican Women and children were often seen supporting their husbands, fathers, brother's and other relatives who were involved in the revolution. (26)
The Flag Day Parade in 1916 in El Paso, Texas. American women marched in support of local soldiers fighting in the revolution. American women supported the Mexican Revolution for humanitarian reasons, primarily. American women hoped that the US military involvment in the Mexican Revolution would prompt the Mexican government to increase the living conditions of the poor and working mexican people.(27)
Women were among those who joined the men on the battle field. Not only were the women active voices in the revolution, but the women often took more physical roles in the revolution by fighting along with the men on the front line.(28)
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