Vicenta Juaristi Eguino facts for kids
Vicenta Juaristi Eguino (1780-1857) was a brave Bolivian heroine. She is remembered as one of the three main heroines of the Bolivian War of Independence, alongside Úrsula Goyzueta and Simona Manzaneda. These women played a big part in helping Bolivia become a free country.
Her Early Life and Fight for Freedom
Vicenta's mother passed away when she was born. Her brother, Pedro Eguino, raised her and taught her about freedom and independence. When she was young, she married Rodríguez Flores de Picón. After he passed away, she married Mariano de Ayoroa.
In 1809, Vicenta decided to use her wealth and properties to help the revolution. Her home became a secret meeting place for people who wanted Bolivia to be independent. These people were called patriots.
During those years, she was close with José Calderón y Sanjinés. He fought alongside a famous leader, Marshal Sucre, in the Battle of Ayacucho. Later, he helped sign the Chuquisaca Act, which declared Upper Peru (now Bolivia) independent.
Because she supported the rebels, Vicenta was arrested many times. A general named José Manuel de Goyeneche sent her away to Cuzco and made her pay a large amount of money. Later, she was able to return to La Paz and found safety on one of her farms. She was even sentenced to death by Mariano Ricafort. However, the people of La Paz supported her, and some royalist leaders helped her. Her death sentence was changed to a big fine and being sent away to Cuzco forever.
After the Bolivian War of Independence ended, on August 18, 1825, Vicenta gave Simón Bolívar the golden key to the city of La Paz. She also gave him a beautiful silver garland decorated with precious stones that she had made herself.
Her Legacy
Vicenta passed away on March 14, 1857, when she was 72 years old. The government, led by General Jorge Córdova, held a special funeral for her. In La Paz, there is a square named after her. It has a statue of Vicenta, created by Victor Hugo Barrenechea, which was unveiled on December 11, 1975.
See also
In Spanish: Vicenta Juaristi Eguino para niños
