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Her name was Adela Velarde Pérez born on September 8, 1900 in Chihuahua, México. She was said to be friendly, bold, brave, and smart, and at just 13 years old, she became part of “La Cruz Blanca” where she learned medical skills against her father’s wishes. Even without the support of her father, the young Adela ignored his opposition and left to pursue her desire to become a nurse.
When she turned 15 years old, Adela joined the military and became a nurse on the front lines. There, alongside other women, her responsibility was to care for those wounded in action and to engage in combat when the men needed help. These women were known as the “soldaderas”. As her story came to light, the women previously referred to as “soldaderas” would go on to be nicknamed “Adelitas."
Throughout her service during the Mexican Revolution, the real Adela had the romantic attention of the soldiers, but she repeatedly turned down their advances and focused on the mission at hand.
It wasn’t until years later that she developed a relationship with Antonio Gil with whom she’d have a child. Unfortunately, she lost her partner during a battle of the Mexican Revolution, and their child died during combat in World War II. Even after suffering these tragic losses, she remained strong and resilient.
Adela would go on to fight battles in Zacatecas, Chihuahua, Morelos, and Mexico City. Though her contributions to the Mexican Revolution were great in number, her story was forgotten, and her legacy lost in time (until now, that is). After the Revolution, she moved to Mexico City, where she worked as a typist.
Twenty years after the Revolution, Adela was recognized as a veteran, but it wasn’t until sixty years after the Revolution that she would formally receive recognition and a pension for her service. At age 65, she met and married Coronel Alfredo Villegas whom she’d share the rest of her days with. Adela Velarde Pérez died in 1971 and was laid to rest in San Felipe Cemetery in Del Rio, Texas.
Source: Cadena CollectiveSource: Cadena Collective
Long after the revolution, “Adelitas” were depicted as hyper-sexualized versions of the women who fought in the revolution.
Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia Ballet Folklorico website
After the conflict, these veterans returned home to fulfill societal norms, where their stories and contributions were slowly forgotten. The colorful posters of beautiful women with braids and lipstick, their gorgeous hair trailing down their arms with beautiful smiles, are far from reality.
These women gave their blood, sweat, and tears for their country. They were on battlefields alongside men and held multiple roles contributing to the cause. They dressed to be ready for anything, from cooking to aiding on the battlefield. Throughout Mexican history, women have held key roles in medicine, as teachers, combatants, and leaders during conflicts that have contributed to the country's construction. Their resiliency and fighting spirit lives on as the country’s flag flies high.
This story was originally published on Cadena Collective as part of their resilient women photography series. The series served to honor resilient women by recreating images of them and highlighting their stories.
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You know the ins and outs of your family history
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Most Latina history buffs start with their own family. Throughout the years, you’ve found a lot of joy in uncovering the stories of your ancestors. You’ve had long talks with your elders, mostly your grandparents and your great-grandparents if you’re lucky enough to have known them, and you’ve looked at every family album. You know where your family comes from and their heritage is one of the things you cherish most in the world.
Latin American history is your jam
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Latin American history is anything but dull to you and you’ve dived deep into it. You love exploring different times in history and you look into historical figures that fascinate you, especially overlooked or misunderstood Latinas. You know everything about your country’s history but you’ve also learned about independence movements across Latin America, revolutions, and other pivotal events. You also keep up with modern-day developments, especially the ones that have made history. Like Mexico electing their first female President!
You appreciate historical artifacts and art
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You seek historical artifacts, art, and cultural relics every chance you get. There’s something very magical to you about seeing objects that were around at different times and the insights they offer. Latina history buffs often plan cultural vacations and focus their itineraries around the kinds of museums, historical sites, archaeological sites, and historical landmarks they can visit. That’s much more interesting to them than, say, the most popular restaurants.
Historical fiction and nonfiction are your go-to genres
Photo by Eliott Reyna on UnsplashLatina history buffs are usually avid readers because that’s how they get a lot of their information. They also enjoy good documentaries that explore Latin American history, culture, and heritage. That’s why their go-to genres are historical fiction and nonfiction. Whether it's factual accounts, biographies, memoirs, or fictional narratives set in historical contexts, you eat those books, documentaries, and movies up! They’re your favorite and, when it comes to historical fiction, you make a game out of spotting any inaccuracies.
History is one of your favorite subjects to discuss
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You enjoy engaging in discussions, debates, and dialogues about historical topics, events, and controversies related to Latin America. Whether the topics come up in casual conversation or you’re active in online forums or academic circles, exchanging perspectives, sharing knowledge, and exploring diverse viewpoints is something you enjoy. History is not a thing of the past to you, you can see how it influences today’s world, so it’s always a relevant topic.
You support historical preservation efforts
Latina history buffs and history buffs in general are quite passionate about the preservation of historical sites, landmarks, and cultural heritage. That’s why they usually advocate for conservation efforts, support conservation and restoration projects, and promote cultural tourism. You understand how important it is to protect history's physical remnants and try to imprint that respect on others.
You love going to historical destinations
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While beaches, good food, and shopping opportunities are a big part of traveling, you focus a lot more on historical destinations. Whether it's exploring ancient ruins, colonial towns, revolutionary sites, or cultural museums, your trips are always an opportunity to explore something new and connect to the past you’ve come to know so well through your interest in history.
You share your historical knowledge
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If you’re a Latina history buff, you’re probably that one friend who always drops relevant historical facts in casual conversation. You know many interesting and cool facts about history, heritage, and culture, and there’s always a way for you to share that knowledge with others. You’re probably the go-to person for history lessons in the family and you often inspire people to appreciate the significance of the past.
Where do Tele-Novelas Originate?
Image credit: IMDb
Imagine it's the 1950s. Rock 'n' roll is still in its infancy, Marlon Brando is considered a heartthrob, and the TV is rapidly replacing the radio as the primary source of home entertainment. Now, let's take that black-and-white picture and add a dash of Latino flavor. In this exciting era, the first telenovelas were born, most notably in Cuba, and Mexico. Essentially, they were radio soap operas with a Latin twist, gaining the 'tele' when they made their way to television.
Early Days of Telenovelas
Image credit: IMDb
Radio Caracas Television, launched in Cuba in 1953, was the pioneer in this field, with "El derecho de nacer" hitting the airwaves and stealing hearts. But the torch didn't stay in Cuba for long. It passed to Mexico in the late 1950s, where Televisa, then known as Telesistema Mexicano, began producing their own television-based novelas.
Mexico's Televisa kicked things off in a grand style, with the 1958 melodrama "Senda Prohibida." This telenovela introduced us to all the elements that make our beloved genre what it is today: intrigue, drama, unrequited love, and yes, plenty of slap-happy moments.
Who needs to talk out their problems when you can just slap your way through them, right? All jokes aside, we have to admit many of the most popular tropes definitely wouldn't fly nowadays, and there’s also a case to be made about whether or not telenovelas have led us to view toxic relationship behaviors as normal. But history is history, and to know where we’re going, we have to know where we came from.
The Rise of Social Issues in Telenovelas
Image credit: Televisa
Over the decades, telenovelas have evolved in pace with our society. In the '70s, Televisa continued its reign with "El Derecho de Nacer," marking a shift towards addressing social issues, from poverty and racism to women's rights. This trend continued in the '80s and '90s, giving us gems like "Rosa Salvaje" and "Maria la del Barrio," some of the best telenovelas of all time if you ask us, with our beloved Thalía demonstrating that a “poor” girl can indeed make good (and look fabulous while doing it).
Telenovelas in the 2000s
Image credit: IMDb
In the 2000s, telenovelas began exploring more complex themes and diverse storytelling. And let's not forget the explosion of the narco-novela, featuring tales of drug cartels, led by the notorious "El Cartel de los Sapos." Because who needs regular bad guys when you can have morally ambiguous, drug-dealing antiheroes?
How Telenovelas Shape Latino Culture and Identity
Image credit: Canal RCN
For us Latinas, telenovelas are more than just our guilty pleasure. They're a reflection of our lives, our hopes, our dreams, and yes, sometimes even our over-the-top family drama. They've played a crucial role in shaping Latino culture and identities, offering representation on screen in an industry where we've often been marginalized. Let's face it, where else are you going to see abuela's advice played out on screen, or find a character who understands your Spanglish lifestyle?
Plus, they've been a significant cultural export, spreading the Latino spirit worldwide. Telenovelas like "Yo Soy Betty, La Fea," the charmingly ugly duckling story, have been adapted in various languages, from Vietnam to India to the U.S. (remember "Ugly Betty"?). And who can forget the global phenomenon of "La Usurpadora" or "Rebelde," inspiring both fashion trends and countless teenage dreams?
The New Era
Image credit: Netflix
Fast forward to today, telenovelas aren’t just surviving, they're thriving and evolving in ways we never imagined. Are they still relevant? Claro que sí! But they're not your abuela's telenovelas anymore. With the advent of popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, they've gone global and digital, reaching millions.
These platforms have given telenovelas a facelift. Netflix's "La Casa de las Flores" and Amazon's "De Viaje con los Derbez" have introduced a whole new generation to the genre, combining traditional storytelling with modern themes and production values.
And with the trend of binge-watching, the classic telenovela format has been revamped. Instead of waiting for the nightly episode with bated breath (and dodging spoilers the next day), viewers can now consume a whole season in one sitting. Because who needs sleep when you have drama, right?
Telenovelas Keep Their Core
Image credit: Televisa
But don't worry, despite the changes, they haven't lost their essence. They're still about us - our struggles, our triumphs, our laughter, our tears. Streaming has just widened the stage, allowing the world to appreciate the beauty, richness, and diversity of our Latino culture. And let's face it, it's about time the world caught up.
Telenovelas have come a long way, from their humble black-and-white beginnings to today's HD, binge-worthy series. They have captured our hearts, shaped our culture, and occasionally, taught us how not to solve our problems (again, enough with the slapping!). Their evolution mirrors our own, and their continued success is a testament to our collective power as Latinas, both on-screen and off.
So, here's to telenovelas, the heart, and soul of our shared Latine experience. Whether we're watching a rerun of "Marimar" or the latest Netflix adaptation, we'll always be ready for the next plot twist, or the next dramatic revelation because that’s the Latine way.
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