On March 6, 2023, Mexico made history as the first state in the Americas and maybe in the world, dedicating a commemorative walk in the most important avenue of the capital with 14 statues of notable women who shape the history of Mexico.
The project’s purpose was to restore history, correct the lack of sculptures of historical women on the Paseo de la Reforma, the home to many statues of notable Mexican men, celebrate Mexican women’s heritage, and recognize their contributions to society.
As part of the ongoing project, the first statues were dedicated in 2020, and the lasts were formally unveiled just before International Women’s Day in 2023 by Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the first woman Head of Government, and Beatriz Gutiérrez Müller, the honorary president of the Advisory Council of the National Coordination of Historical and Cultural Memory of Mexico.
Meet the heroines who are commemorated on the avenue:
Agustina Ramírez Heredia (1813-1879) was a Mexican heroine who allowed 12 of her 13 children to fight and sacrifice their lives while protecting Mexico from French intervention.
Anonymous Mexican Forjadoras de la República is a statue that commemorates the women who have preserved their languages and culture.
Carmen Serdán Alatriste (1873-1948) was a Mexican revolutionary who co-founded the National Anti-Reelection Party and fought the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz.
Dolores Jiménez y Muro (1850-1925) was a teacher, feminist, and social-political activist who promoted equality for women and indigenous people and was active during the Mexican Revolution, fighting alongside Emiliano Zapata.
Elvia Carrilo Puerto (1878-1968), also known as “The Red Nun,” was a feminist and social activist who founded some of Mexico’s first feminist organizations. In 1923, she became the first woman state deputy.
Hermila Galindo (1886-1954) was a writer and feminist who advocated for women’s suffrage, equal rights, and sex education in schools.
Gertrudis Bocanegra (1765-1817) lost her husband and son in the Mexican War of Independence and became a soldier. She was captured, tortured, and executed for treason. Bocanegra is knonwn as “La Heroína de Pátzcuaro” (The Heroine of Pátzcuaro).
Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez (1768-1829), alongside her husband Miguel Domínguez, Corregidor of Querétaro, had a significant role in the conspiracy plans for the Mexican War of Independence from Spain.
Juana Belén Gutiérrez de Mendoza (1875-1942) was a social-political activist, feminist, advocate of Mexican women’s voting rights, journalist, and poet.
Leona Vicario (1789-1842) was a journalist, intellectual, feminist, social activist, prominent contributor, and leader in the Mexican War of Independence. She is considered one of the founding mothers of Mexico.
Margarita Maza (1826-1871) was the wife, advisor, and partner of President Benito Juárez and the first lady of Mexico from 1858 to 1864 and 1867 to 1871.
Matilde Montoya (1859-1939) was the first Mexican female physician, earning her M.D. in 1887, and a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women.
Sara Pérez Romero (1870-1952) became known as the First Lady of the Revolution for her work in the anti-reelection movement alongside Carmen Serdán Alatriste. She was the wife and political partner of the 37th President of Mexico, Francisco I. Madero.
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1648-1695) was a writer, philosopher, composer, poet, and Hieronymite nun. She wrote about love and feminism and gathered female leaders of colonial Spain in her salon. Her work contributed to early Spanish literature and the Spanish Golden Age.
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