Abstract
In this paper, the focus is on women's agency in movements for independence from Iberian colonialism. We begin with the political trajectory of Manuela Sáenz, also seeking to recover the diversity of the roles played by women in the wars of independence against the Spanish crown. Then, for the Brazilian case, we describe the contributions of Bárbara de Alencar to the Pernambuco revolution (in Crato), Maria Quitéria de Jesus Alves and Maria Felipa de Oliveira to the liberation of Bahia. These trajectories differ, among other aspects, by their time frame, however the subordination attributed in historical narratives is a common feature. The appropriation of knowledge then forbidden for women points to the individualized efforts to break and shift the conditions of subordination. Their performance, however, is restricted by patriarchal standards, forcing them to cross-dress, in some cases, or the relevance of their historical role is relegated to some male character in their relationships.
Keywords
patriarchy; androcentrism; historiography; gender