Teresa Urrea AKA The Mexican Joan of Arc
Hello Readers!
Intro
This weeks Latino USA Podcast is about Teresa Urrea who is the Mexican Joan of Arc. Dr. Yolanda Leyva a history professor at the university of Texas. David Romo, a historian that specializes on the US Mexican border lines. She was a curandera and feminist. She was loved my all and was a symbol to the people of forgotten history. She used herbs and tradition ancient healing methods. Most known for being “once called the most danger out woman in Mexico my dictator Porfirio Diaz” (Latino 4:20-4:33).
Background
Her mother was an indigenous woman and was 14 when she gave birth to Teresa. Teresa’s father was a rich light skinned land owner with Spanish ties. Teresa went through traumatic event and was believed to be raped. She had an epileptic seizure and went into a coma. She was believed to be dead when her father ordered her a coffin. Suddenly she regained concious and woke up from her coma. After she woke up she predicted that in three days the coffin would be needed for someone else. Three days later Teresa’s teacher was found in her room dead. She had passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was able to heal people with just her touch. She became loved my many and called Saint Teresa. She was a symbol of light to the Yaki and other indigenous groups that have been treated poorly by the dictator. I thought it was very cool that she became a healer and used traditional indigenous healing methods and not used more Spanish methods because of her father. She was a symbol of hope and light to the people in such desperate times. Teresa had been doing all this good and the Catholic Church saw her a a heretic and threatens any clergy member who sought her help.
Legacy
“Teresa Urrea, ‘The Saint of Cabora’” by Frank Bishop Putnam is about the history of Teresa Urrea and the wonderful things she had done with her life. She said “I have noticed with much pain that the persons who have taken up arms in Mexican territory have invoked my name in aid of the schemes they are carrying through. But I repeat I am not one who authorizes or at the same time interferes with these proceedings”( Putnam 257). She had become a key figure in the Mexican Revolution, not my violence, but by inspiring people. She used her need to help people and her gift yo help those who were most in need.
Why This Topic?
I normally scroll through the podcasts and look for what I find most interesting. This caught my eye because I was raised catholic and my family is very religious. I was baptized, had my first communion and had my confirmation. I went to classes for this every week for a few hours for 8 years. When we were preparing for our confirmation we have to choose a saint and do a repot on them. This saint would also be the name they would address us by during confirmation. When I was trying to find someone to do my repot on I tried to find a person that aligned with my morals and who I am as a person. I ended up choosing Joan of arc. When I saw the comparison of Terese and Joan in the title I was intrigued. How could I not have heard of this person before. That was what have peaked my interest.
Conclusion
Teresa Urrea is a strong leader and was a beacon of hope to the indigenous peoples of Mexico. Inspirational to the indigenous people because she told the Yakis to fight for their lives which… inspired rebellions”(Latino 23:50-24:15). She also treated theses people which “The smallest number I have cared for in one day being one hundred and eighty, although generally the number was places at two hundred“( Putnam 256-257). He has cared for and inspired these people to stand up again the injustices that are happening to them and fights for change.
Work Cited
Holden, F. M. (1996, February 1). Urrea, Teresa (1873–1906). TSHA. Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/urrea-teresa.
PUTNAM, FRANK BISHOP. “Teresa Urrea, ‘The Saint of Cabora.’” Southern California Quarterly, vol. 45, no. 3, [University of California Press, Historical Society of Southern California], 1963, pp. 245–64, https://doi.org/10.2307/41169794.
St. Louis, D. (2002, August 15). 3 Mar 1901, page 37 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at newspapers.com. Newspapers.com. Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=7487078&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjEzODMwNjA4MiwiaWF0IjoxNjM4NDc3MTk1LCJleHAiOjE2Mzg1NjM1OTV9.U3guEbvu_oUB7s5YgDObkrdaVzm44u15oAuCYFnU6_k.
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