Women of San Miguel Who did it Their Way

Published March 24, 2023

by Natalie Taylor

So much of history, including the history of San Miguel, revolves around men who made a difference. We all know that women’s place in society, and of what was expected of them, was the major factor in this lack of female representation. Things are different today, although there are still many constraints on women, but nothing to the degree of several centuries ago. That’s why, when a woman rose to a position of power in the past, she had to exhibit strong-headedness, and a good dose of rebelliousness, to stand up to societal rules and do things—her way. A number of San Miguel women challenged the status quo, and left a legacy of female power in a way that resonates to this day.

I will begin with the earliest example I could find: Josefa Lina de la Canal. As the oldest daughter of Manuel Tomas de la Canal, Josefa Lina was privileged by the family’s wealth. But as a woman born in 1736, she was restricted by what she could and could not do. For Criollo women living in New Spain there were few options—marriage was, of course, the most common, and it meant moving from the patriarchal rule of her birth home, to obedience to the husband, and bearing children. If a woman wanted independence, the surest way was becoming a nun, because it gave her a semblance of freedom from male dominance. Josefa Lina chose the religious life as a teenager. When both her parents died, she inherited part of the estate divided among the siblings. With that money she built the church, and convent called Las Monjas, which today houses El Nigromante Cultural Center, also known as Bellas Artes. The idea of building a church and convent, is not something I admire. But I do admire Josefa Lina for carving her own way in life; for choosing to live life as a woman without male domination.

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