A Freedom Fighter Inspires Change in Modern Bolivia

e-Edition Plus A current events feature for teaching with electronic editions.

By Sara Shahriari

began to fight for independence from A freedom fighter inspires Spain. Azurduy and her husband Manuel change in modern Bolivia decided to join the fight. Juana Azurduy was a warrior. much of South America was controlled A fighter She fought for years to free parts by Spain, a country in Europe that had It was not common for women to of South America from Spanish control colonized large parts of South America. be warriors at the time — armies were during the early 1800s. Spain controlled the government made up of men. But Azurduy fought Today in the country of Bolivia, and economy of Upper Peru as a in many battles in what are now Azurduy’s achievements are remem- colony, even though Spain is far from Bolivia and Argentina, and some bered in everything from the names South America. historians say she led an army of 6,000 of airports to public statues to laws Juana spoke Aymara (eye-MAHR-ah) soldiers. She fought for years, and protecting the rights of women. and Quechua, (kay-CHEW-uh), two during that time her husband was As people honor the achievements South American Indian languages still killed and her four children died. of women during Women’s History spoken today in parts of Bolivia, Peru In 1825 Upper Peru became part of Month this March, Azurduy’s and Ecuador. She also spoke Spanish. the independent country of Bolivia and inspiration is being felt in Bolivia in In the early 1800s people all over the war ended. After the war Juana the effort by President Evo Morales South America began to declare fell into poverty and many people to dramatically expand the number independence from Spain. These forgot the bravery she showed in the of women in positions of authority in people wanted to form their own war for independence. the government. governments, the same way parts of Years after she had died at President Morales thinks that half of North America had become free from about the age of 80, people began all the people in Bolivia’s government England. to recognize her achievements. should be women. About 30 years after the Declaration A revolutionary leader who died When President Morales formed of Independence was signed in the poor, is a national hero in Bolivia his governing cabinet, 50 percent the United States in 1776, Upper Peru today. people he chose were women. By comparison, women make up just 25 percent of U.S. President Barack Obama’s cabinet. Cabinet members are top advisors who are in charge of different parts of the government. As President Morales Getty Images/Newscom works to appoint more women to these key jobs, Azurduy’s name and image in government offices through- out the country remind Bolivians how far women have come. An inspiring life Juana Azurduy (ah-zhur-DWEE) lived a remarkable and inspiring life. She was born in an area called Upper Peru, which today is part of Bolivia. Her parents were South American Indian and Spanish. The inspiration of freedom fighter Juana Azurduy is felt During the early years of her life, in Bolivia today in the actions of President Evo Morales to appoint more women to key government positions. Talk About How Well the News Did You

• In Bolivia today women make up 50 percent of President Evo Morales’ cabinet, a group of the Read? president’s closest advisors. In the United States women make up only 25 percent of the president’s cabinet. As a class, discuss the importance of having both women and men in key positions in Understanding what you read is a government. What does that add to policy-making? Do you think skill that will help you all through life. there should be more women in the U.S. cabinet. Why or why not? Review the story about Juana Azurduy by answering the questions below. Learning Standard: Engaging peers in constructive conversation about matters of public concern by clarifying issues, considering opposing views, applying democratic values and anticipating consequences.

1. Where was Juana Azurduy born? Explore A. Spain B. Peru C. Upper Peru Your D. Ecuador 2. What was Juana Azurduy fighting for? e-Edition A. Independence from the United States B. Independence from Ecuador C. Independence from Bolivia • Women do amazing things every day in D. Independence from Spain communities, states and the nation. Find an article in the e-Edition that talks about a woman doing something you think is outstanding. Write a 3. What is a colony? paragraph discussing what you learned about the A. An area controlled by a woman in the story, how she became a success and foreign country how her contributions benefit the community. B. An area controlled by Spain Learning Standards: Identifying how individuals in history demonstrate good character and C. An area controlled by the personal virtue; exploring and reflecting on universal themes and substantive issues. United States • People are fighting for freedom D. An area controlled by Upper Peru all over the world today, especially in the Middle East. In the e-Edition find an article about people fighting for 4. From the story, you can infer that the freedom in another country. Write a paragraph or short native people of Upper Peru were: essay detailing who they are, what they are fighting for and how the changes they seek would change their nation. A. People from Spain B. Native American Indians from Learning Standards: Locating and describing the diverse places, cultures and communities of major world regions; writing fluently for multiple purposes; employing multiple strategies to construct meaning. South America C. Native Americans Indians from • More and more women now serve in top positions in government, North America both in the United States and in other nations. Find a story in the D. People from England e-Edition about a woman in government. Or find an example online. Write a paragraph describing the position the woman 5. How is Juana Azurduy remembered holds and what she is trying to accomplish. Then draw an editorial in Bolivia today? cartoon showing this woman in action, working for her goals. A. In the names of airports Learning Standards: Acquiring information from multiple sources; posing social science questions; writing fluently for multiple purposes; using the craft of the illustrator to convey ideas artistically. B. With public statues C. In laws protecting the rights of women

D. All of the above