Ramona Martínez ( 19th century) was an enslaved Paraguayan nurse. She became a heroine in the Triple Alliance War and was described as "the American

Joan of Arc Joan of Arc ( ; ; – 30 May 1431) is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the Coronation of the French monarch, coronation of Charles VII o ...

Biography

Little is known about the early life of Martínez, other than that she was enslaved by President

Francisco Solano López Francisco Solano López Carrillo (24 July 1827 or 1826 – 1 March 1870) was a Paraguay, Paraguayan statesman, Officer (armed forces), military officer and politician who served as President of Paraguay between 1862 and 1870, of which he serve ...

. She is considered a heroine of the Battle of Itá Ybaté, during the Triple Alliance War. Martínez, who was aged either 15 or 22 according to differing accounts, was present at the battle, working as a nurse. When she witnessed the wounding of Major Francisco Ozuna, she was inspired to attack the enemy with a sword. This act persuaded her comrades and other wounded soldiers to rally and stop the advance of the Brazilians. As a result of her intervention and her fighting, the newspaper ''El Semanario'' nicknamed her "the American

Legacy

A school in Itá Ybaté, Lambare, bears her name.

Historiography

The role of women during the Triple Alliance War is one that has been historically overlooked. One of the first texts to refer to their involvement was ''El libro de los héroes. Páginas históricas de la Guerra del Paraguay,'' which, according to historian Carolina Alegre Benitez introduced women, including Martínez. She is also significant as she represents a number of enslaved people who fought in the war and whose lives have been overlooked by historians researching the war, alongside those of indigenous people.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martinez, Ramona Year of birth unknown Year of death unknown 19th-century Paraguayan women Women slaves Women nurses Paraguayan nurses