Roles Soldaderas

1 roles

1.1 camp followers
1.2 defense of symbols of revolution
1.3 medical support
1.4 female combatants

roles
camp followers

camp followers had numerous roles fulfill, of related looking after male soldiers. of basic roles cook meals, clean after meals, clean weapons , set camp army. often, women camp site ahead of men in order have camp set , begin preparing food ready time men showed up. foraging, nursing , smuggling of other tasks had. towns had been fought in perfect location foraging. once soldiers had left women loot stores food , search through dead bodies looking of value or use. taking care of , nursing wounded , sick important task women had fulfill. extremely important role since medical care not available of soldiers , these women chance of survival if wounded. if army in area close enough hospital, women responsible soldiers badly wounded there, pulling them along ox-carts. not did camp followers perform these duties, had more war-like task. have smuggle hundreds , hundreds of rounds of ammunition fighting forces, united states mexico. hide ammunition under skirts , given duty because perceived harmless women , therefore hardly ever caught.

defense of symbols of revolution

maría arias bernal defended madero s tomb during victoriano huerta s counter-revolution

after forced resignation , murder of francisco i. madero during counter-revolutionary coup of february 1913, madero s grave in mexico city subject vandalism adherents of new regime. maría arias bernal defended against odds, , given public recognition bravery constitutionalist army general Álvaro obregón.

medical support

elena arizmendi mejia , volunteers of neutral white cross, 1911

an important role women played during mexican revolution s violence nurses. anonymous, , nursed without being part of formal organization or equipment. significant figure elena arizmendi mejia, created neutral white cross when red cross refused treat revolutionary soldiers. arizmendi elite family , knew francisco madero before president. neutral white cross leadership attempted oust leadership when photographed in pose of soldadera or coronela, crossed bandoliers, supposedly joke paramour, josé vasconcelos, later become minister of public education in obregón government.

female combatants

a number of women served combatants, how many not known. women became combatants first joining army passing male, speaking in deep voices, wearing men’s clothing, , wrapping breasts tightly hide them. obvious role had combatants fight against opponents in battles.

for known female , not in disguise, served spies against on enemy armies, dressing women , joining camp followers of enemy army in order gain inside information. given important information have relay between generals of same army. given task because trusted, more reason because males still did not see these women equals , being messengers seemed more feminine role of soldier.