1. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez

2. early life
Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez was born in Sept 8, 1768 in Valladolid New Spain (present day Morelia) ; and died March 12, 1829 at age 60 in Mexico City . Ortiz de Dominguez was born to Don.Juan Jose Ortiz and Dona.Manuela Giron .

3. family
Her father Don.Juan Jose Ortiz who was a captain of the regiment “Los Morados”. Mr.Ortiz dies early in his daughter’s life ; his death was caused by him fighting in a battle . Soon after her father dyeing her mother Ms.Giron died .

4. sister
Josefa had a sister Maria Sotelo Ortiz , she took care of Josefa and her upbringing and managed to secured in in the prestigious “Colegio de las Vizcaínas” in 1789.

5. husband
Ortiz married Miguel Dominguez in 1791 who was a frequent visitor to the college . In 1802, Miguel Dominguez was appointed by the Viceroy of New Spain to the office of "Corregidor" (a magistrate) in the city of Queretaro. Together Josefa and Miguel had 12 children .

6. role on Mex. Independence
In 1802 Miguel Dominguez was appointed by the Viceroy of New Spain to the office of Corregidor in the city of Querétaro. During that time Dona Josefa took care of household chores and the education of the two sons from her husband's previous marriage, although they eventually had 12 children together. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez was a conspirator and supporter of the Mexican War of Independence. She is frequently referred to as “La Corregidora”.

7. Dona Josefa identified herself strongly with the abuse suffered by the creoles community on the hands of continental Spaniards, being one herself. Creoles were often seen as second-class citizens (by virtue of being born in New Spain as opposed to metropolitan Spain) and were refer to secondary roles in the administration of the colony. This obviously created discontent among creoles who soon started to organize "literary" societies where works of the Enlightenment banned by the Catholic Church were discussed. Dona Josefa herself attended some of the early meetings and eventually convinced her husband to host a number of them in their house. The meetings, attended by figures such as Miguel Hidalgo and Ignacio Allende, quickly acquired political overtones.

8. Eventually the role Dona Josefa and her husband played in the conspiracy was uncovered. They were jailed separately. Dona Josefa was sent to the monastery of Santa Clara, in Querétaro, and then to Mexico City to stand trial. She was found guilty, despite her husband's efforts as her lawyer, and secluded in the monastery of Santa Teresa. Due to her rebellious character she was soon transferred to the nunnery of Santa Catalina de Sena, which was considered to be stricter in terms of discipline. She was finally released in 1817 under oath that she would refrain from supporting the rebels.

9. After independence was secured, Mexican Emperor Agustin de Iturbide in 1822 offered Dona Josefa the position of lady-in-waiting for his wife. However, Josefa believed the establishment of a Mexican Empire, instead of a Republic, was against the ideals she had fought for during the revolution, and therefore refused the honor. In 1823 she was designated a "woman of honor" by the empress, a tribute which she also rejected.

10. Dona Josefa died March 2, 1829 in Mexico City
Dona Josefa died March 2, 1829 in Mexico City. She was originally buried in the nunnery of Santa Catalina de Sena, but later her remains were moved to Querétaro to the nunnery of Santa Cruz. The government of Querétaro declared her Benemérita del Estado.
She is revered in Mexico. Her portrait has appeared on coins and stamps.