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

Micaela Ravelo

Gender:Female

Ethnic origen: White

Events:

Connections:

Texts:
1836 - Defence statement

Biography:
In 1837 she went to the courts to make her husband, Juan José Espinosa, to support her and her children. He had left her in 1832. She was being pursued by her debtors and unable to obtain money from her property as it was administered by her ex-husband. He appealed that he had not sanctioned Ravelo's debts, but the court ruled against him. (Díaz, 145)

She asked the courts to force Espinosa to allow her to earn a living from property that she had inherited from her father. She stated, "For now, it is enough that the law is on my side, and the wisdom of the judges, which must not forget that although I am a married woman, I am not for that reason Mr Espinosa's slave, neither have I relinquished my rights as a citizen, nor am I not the owner of my properties, nor do I not have the liberties that women of my condition have to allot or not to their husbands their properties apart from dowry goods." As a property owner, Ravelo saw herself as a citizen. She also stated that Espinosa had not fulfilled his responsibilities and that she had cared for their children and provided economic support. Espinosa accused her of adultery and stated he had the right to discipline her. (Díaz, 151-155)

References:

Díaz, Arlene J. (2004) Female Citizens, Patriarchs and the Law in Venezuela, 1796-1904