Maria Quitéria dos Santos

A 19th-century Brazilian woman who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Brazilian War of Independence and became a military leader

Maria Quitéria (1819-1861) was a pioneering Brazilian woman who joined the fight for independence from Portugal while disguised as a soldier. Born in Bahia to a poor family, she joined the 1822 independence movement wearing male attire, a common practice among women soldiers of the era. Her bravery at the Battle of Itu (1822) earned her promotion to corporal - the first known female to achieve military rank in Brazil.

After the war, she continued serving in the military under her true identity, reaching the rank of sergeant-major. She petitioned successfully for veteran's benefits and became a symbol of women's military service. Despite societal norms, she refused to marry and lived independently. Historians debate whether she remained in disguise permanently or returned to her gender later.

Today she's celebrated with monuments across Brazil and the national holiday on her birthday. Her story is studied in gender studies courses like Federal University of Bahia. No biographies are available in English, but Portuguese-language resources include this book.