Women’s History Month

Historically Speaking



 

 

Greetings and salutations, Atascosa County! I greet you on this day of March. That’s right, it is March already, the third month of the year that seems to have just begun yesterday. So, let’s bask in March shall we? I, for one, will be appreciative of the return of green grass and warmer weather.

March is embraced by historians and proud Texans as the peak of Texas Independence. March 2 was Texas Independence Day and March 6 commemorates the fall of the Alamo. The remainder of March can be used to remember the Runaway Scrape that eventually ended with a decisive Texas victory at San Jacinto. However, I was notified by my calendar that March is also recognized as Women’s History Month. I would like to recognize local women and their history during this month and I can only do that with help from you, the reader and the citizen who has buried in your family album those treasures and memories of women that paved the way.

Women have long faced adversity and challenges that I will never understand. They are the vessels that populate this earth and success comes with more effort because they are often discounted. It’s an admiration in my opinion, and I am fortunate to have been surrounded by courageous, strong-willed, grounded and stubborn women my entire life. By stubborn, I do not mean it as an insult, but as a virtue to their moral character of perseverance.

Just like all other history, Women’s History has no bounds with regard to race, ethnicity or whether the historic contribution was popular. It is still our history and it will belong to us forever, so we will gladly embrace it. With that said, allow me to share a story about a recent museum visit that includes women’s history. When we visited the Texas Ranger Museum a few weeks ago, we were fortunate to see the rifle that once belonged to “La Concha.” I researched the identity of “La Concha” and discovered that her name was Maria Quintera de Meras and she was a Colonel for Pancho Villa’s Army. She was described by her peers as a welldecorated soldier. Quintera de Meras was said to have fought as well as any male soldier and her peers believed she had supernatural powers. I have researched and cannot find any documented facts about the reason why or what supernatural powers she was thought to possess.

I hope to hear some feedback and receive some great stories to share, until next time.

MARTIN GONZALES is the Atascosa County Historical Commission Chairman. If you have history to share, you may contact him at 830-480-2741.

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