An exploration of women's involvement in the Latin American Wars of Independence

Juana Velasco de Gallo

Gender:Female

Ethnic origen: White

Events:

Connections:

Biography:
From an upper-class family from Tuta, Tunja, she married Andrés Gallo, uncle of José Caytano Vásquez. They lived at the hacienda de Toca, Tuta. On 7 July 1819 they received a private letter saying that Bolívar had arrived in Socha and Tasco with a large army that was weak, injured and without horses. The patriots feared defeat if they did not receive back up. Velasco immediately sent all the horses on the hacienda (11 in total) with her two sons and servants to the army. Her husband told her not to send her own, but she replied that hers should be the first to go and it should be given to Bolívar. She also gathered clothes and blankets. She persuaded others to join and on 9 July 1819 her sons presented Bolívar with 27 horses and more clothes and blankets. Bolívar expressed his thanks for the horse saying it was a beautiful animal. He is said to have made a speech praising the patriotism of women, stating their contribution to the independence cause was equal if not superior to that of men. Velasco's sons joined Bolívar's ranks. She nursed the wounded patriots during the battles of Tópaga and Río Sogaloso. Her sons came through the wars without injury and Bolívar visited her home in Tunja when he reached the town. (Monsalve, 210-213)

References:

Monsalve, José D (1926) Mujeres de la independencia