We invite you to explore the new digital exhibit, “Entre Balas y Rugidos” (available in English and Spanish) that explores the various roles of Leonor Villegas de Magnón during the Mexican Revolution, her indispensability to the cause, and her wider significance in history. These digital exhibits were created by Melinda Mejia, an instructor of English and Humanities at Houston Community College. Mejía worked on the Villegas de Magnón archive during the Spring 2020 semester.
La Rebelde
“Leonor Villegas de Magnón in Front of Mirror,” Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage Digital Collections.
Villegas de Magnón (1876-1955), known as “La Rebelde,” was a supporter of the revolutionary efforts and founded La Cruz Blanca Constitucionalista in 1913, an organization of nurses formed in 1913 to treat those injured in the fighting. Aware of the importance that women were playing in the Revolution, Villegas de Magnón hired a photographer to document their historical role.
“Exploring the life and legacy of Leonor Villegas de Magnón through the rich collection of photos and documents at the Recovery program was illuminating and rewarding,” said Mejia. “I felt honored to be able to piece together this digital exhibit and to take part in sharing her story. I only hope that the exhibit does justice to her integrity, her courage, and her tenacity. Women like Leonor Villegas de Magnón must be recognized and celebrated, and their stories shared far and wide as an integral part of Mexican American and Women’s history. ”
The digital archive contains documents such as photographs and correspondence. The entire collection is house at the University of Houston Libraries Special Collections. Her memoir, The Rebel/La Rebelde, edited by Recovery Board member, Clara Lomas, is available in Spanish and English.
Digital Resources
- Browse a sampling of the Leonor Villegas de Magnón Collection online at Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage Digital Collection: usldhrecovery.uh.edu
- Balas y Rugidos exhibit (English)
- Balas y Rugidos exhibit (Español)
Further reading
Villegas de Magnón, Leonor. The Rebelde. ed. Clara Lomas. Houston, Texas: Arte Público Press. 1994.
Villegas de Magnón, Leonor. La Rebelde. ed. Clara Lomas. Houston, Texas: Arte Público Press. 2004.