Maria Quitéria was a soldier and First Cadet in the Brazilian independence army. María's exceptional courage in conflict saw her play a major role in the struggle for Brazilian independence. She was called "Brazilian Joan of Arc."
Background
Maria Quitéria de Jesús was born on 27 July 1792 in Feira De Santana, Bahia, Brazil. She was the daughter of Gonçalo Alves de Almeida. After the death of her mother Quitéria Maria de Jesus, her father, married twice: with Eugenia Maria dos Santos and Rosa Maria de Brito. Certain tensions seemed to upraise in the family atmosphere, where Quitéira distanced from both stepmothers alike, incapable of controlling the energy and ease of spoiled child that enjoyed a plain joie de vivre in nature.
Education
Maria didn't receive a formal education, she practiced the skills necessary for farming, such as riding, hunting, and using firearms.
Career
Maria Quitéria left her father's home in September 1822 to volunteer for the patriot forces then being organized to expel the Portuguese army from the provincial capital of Salvador. She claimed to be her brother-in-law's son and enlisted in an infantry battalion. Though her sex was discovered when her father applied to have her discharged a few days later, she remained in the ranks, modifying her uniform by adding a tartan kilt. She fought in three skirmishes, once in chest-deep water to repel a Portuguese landing and another time in an enemy trench where she took prisoners. To reward her for this feat, the commander of Brazilian forces named her a first cadet, an honorific rank reserved for sons of nobles and senior officers.
Achievements
Maria Quiteria was received in Rio de Janeiro by the new Brazilian emperor, who dubbed her a knight of the Imperial Order of the Cross (cavaleiro da Ordem Imperial do Cruzeiro) in 1823 and commissioned her an alferes (second lieutenant), which entitled her to an army pension.
Maria Quitéria de Jesús was named patron of the Brazilian Army in 1953- one hundred years after her death, by official demand. The Brazilian government hung on the wall the portrait of this woman in the military headquarters for national honor.
Personality
Maria was known for her bravery and skill in leading ambushes of the more numerous Portuguese soldiers.
Quotes from others about the person
"Maria de Jesus is illiterate but lively. She has clear intelligence and acute perception. I think that if they educated her, she would become a notable personality. One observes nothing masculine in her conduct, rather she is of gentle and friendly manners." - Maria Graham
Interests
Sport & Clubs
Horse riding, hunting
Connections
Quitéria married Gabriel Pereira Brito. They had one daughter Luisa.
