Born: Unknown (1800s), Mexico (assumed)
Died: Unknown (1900s)
Country most active: Mexico
Also known as: NA
The following is republished from the Library of Congress. This piece falls under under public domain, as copyright does not apply to “any work of the U.S. Government” where “a work prepared by an officer or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties” (See, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, 105).
Col. María Quinteras de Meras was a coronela whom Pancho Villa highly respected. She proved herself in the ten battles she fought during her three years in his rebel army from 1910-1913. After supposedly earning her place by shooting as well as the men, Quinteras de Meras became a high-ranking officer. According to the El Paso Morning Times (7 May, 1914), “some of her followers have come to believe she is endowed with some supernatural power” (42). In a manner similar to that of Lieutenant Mares de Cárdenas, Quinteras de Meras dressed in men’s clothing wearing khaki suits and cartridge belts. Both Quinteras de Meras and her husband fought voluntarily in the same rebel outfit. After the Revolution, the couple refused to accept payment from Villa for their services.