Josefa Sánchez

Gender:Female

Ethnic origen: Unknown

Events:

1820  -  Pisco  -  Unknown  -  She and her sister, Francisca Sánchez de Pagador, were given secret commissions by San Martín that they fulfilled with complete discretion.

Connections:

San Martín, women connected to
Women repelled pirates
Women soldiers
Women supported independence (unspecified contribution)

Biography:
Born in Pisco, she and her sister Francisca Sánchez de Pagador were known as "las salvadores de Pisco" during the colonial period after they "saved" the port from an attack by pirate Eduardo David. The pirates decided to attack during Corregidor Villegas's absence, but the sisters took charge of the cannons and fired them at the ships. The pirates fled, thinking the port to be defended.

They subsequently enthusiastically joined the independence cause and were much acclaimed for their (unspecified) action. When San Martín was in Pisco he confided in them, giving them secret commissions that they fulfilled with complete discretion. (García y García, 219-220)

References:

Davies, Catherine, Brewster, Claire and Owen, Hilary (2006) South American Independence. Gender, Politics, Text
García y García, Elvira (1924) La mujer peruana a través de los siglos