S3E4: The Amiable Madwoman - Doña Manuela Sáenz + the Fight for Spanish American Independence

Women of War

Finally, an episode where we know some things about a woman! Maybe too much. Join Hannah and Nicola as they learn about Doña Manuela Sáenz de Vergara y Aizpuru, the Ecuadorian woman who worked to free South America from Spanish colonisation. Put on your best colonel's uniform and jump astride your horse to find out how the Libertadora del Libertador not only helped South American countries gain independence from Spain but worked alongside Simón Bolívar to build the short-lived state of Gran Colombia, saving his life twice in the process.

This episode of Women of War was written and recorded on the stolen lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.

This episode contains references to to or discussion of assassination, attempted suicide, infidelity and exile. It also contains naughty language and so may not be suitable for all listeners. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies.

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Read the biography of Manuela: Pamela S. Murray, For Glory and Bolívar: The Remarkable Life of Manuela Sáenz, (Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008).

Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com