3/4 Adelitas

Las Adelitas (Soldaderas) The Adelitas were brave women in military throughout the Mexican Revolution. Most of them served in Northern Mexico for both the Federal Army and for the Revolutionary Forces. They needed these women to provide provision, act as nurses and cook/ prepare food. The Adelitas served in the military before the Revolution. During the Revolution they were combatants and officers. Many of them took on these roles by pretending to be men. The Adelitas joined the fighting for many reasons; a lot of them followed their husbands or other family members who joined. While others were forced into service by means of kidnapping. Either way, they played a pivotal role in the Revolution. Petra / Pedro Herrera One of the most famous female combatants was Petra Herrera or Petra Ruiz. At the beginning she dressed as a man and took the given name of Pedro, joining the ranks of Villa’s army. She kept her identity a secret until she had been acknowledged as a great soldier. Once s