Wonder Woman of the Week: Maria Quiteria
Much of Latin America is plagued by "machismo" culture in which men frequently enact toxic gender norms that hinder women's civil rights advancement, but women across the Americans have constantly pushed back to fight against sexism and advance their rights themselves. This week's Wonder Woman was no different. Maria Quiteria was born in Portuguese Brazil and spent her childhood learning how to rider horses, shoot muskets, and every other skill a father would teach son he intended to groom for battle. It comes as some surprise then considering how man Quiteria's father was when his daughter cut her hair, dressed as a man, and enlisted in a revolutionary army intent on overthrowing the Portuguese and establishing an independent Brazil.
Maria Quiteria was one of three known women to have served as soldiers in Brazil's War for independence, but that wasn't because her father approved. When her father found out which unit she was secretly serving in as a man, Quiteria outed his daughter in an attempt to get her expelled. Instead, the revolutionary army gave her a promotion leading to Quiteria gaining the rank of lieutenant for her skill at leadership, musketry, and overall combat. She was so skilled and so respected that the newly crowned Emperor of Brazil personally awarded Quiteria her new rank. Unfortunately, her awards ended with the war. Quiteria married a long-time love and had one child before becoming a widow and entering a life of poverty before her death in 1853. Brazil honors her legacy today with the Maria Quiteria award for civilians and military personnel who personify her spirit through service to the country.
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