Mercedes Jáuregui

Gender:Female

Ethnic origen: Black

Connections:

Nurses
Slave women who used independence to gain freedom
Women accompanied troops
Women workers
Women, used legal system

Biography:
A slave woman whose husband, José Jáuregui, joined the Rio de la Plata regiment in the independence cause. She was donated by her owner. She accompanied the troops, and worked in hospitals, including that in Huaura, and as a laundress and cook. In 1822 José asked for her freedom in recognition of her services to the independence cause. San Martín supported the claim, but the documents were lost so the following year she renewed her claim to ensure her freedom. (Blanchard, 8)

References:

Blanchard, Peter (2004) Freedom and Family: Slave Women and the Wars of Independence in South America