Born: 20 November 1797, Argentina
Died: 3 August 1823
Country most active: Argentina
Also known as: María de los Remedios Carmen Escalada, Remedios de Escalada
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
She was born to one of the oldest and most respected families of Buenos Aires. Her father’s home was the meeting place of all the men and women who were working to make Argentina a nation.
It was there that she met a young officer, Lt. Colonel San Martin, an Argentine who attained distinction for bravery and skill while fighting against Napoleon in Spain. Their courtship and marriage was full of romance, glory and hardships. She followed her husband, the then General San Martin, to Mendoza.
Here in great penury and destitution he organized the army that later, after long years of war, assured the freedom and independence of Latin America. The General’s responsibility was over-whelming: he had few armaments and only sparsely settled areas from which to get soldiers; civil wars and strife were tearing the country apart. He had, always, the support of his wife. She organized the women of the West and gave her jewels to help the army.
Her example set fire to the spirit of other women who soon imitated her. Relief came from other parts of the country and, at last, a poorly equipped army was able to move and by exertion and enthusiasm to destroy the Spanish stronghold in America.
Her efforts in Mendoza impaired her health and she was deprived of the privilege of going North with her husband to share his joy when victory and glory were achieved. She died in Buenos Aires before General San Martin came back from Peru. On her grave he placed the following inscription: “Here Lies Remedios De Escalda, Wife and Friend of General San Martin.” A progressive city in Argentina has been named after her in homage to her memory.