“MRS. BENITO JUAREZ” MEXICO’S GALLANT FIRST LADY, By Nancy Brown-Martinez, CSWR
Margarita Maza, of Spanish descent, was born in Oaxaca in 1826, the daughter of Antonio Maza and Petra Parada. In 1843 she married Pedro Benito Juárez – a Zapotec Indian - and they had 10 children – 7 girls and 3 boys. Orphaned at three, Benito was a shepherd boy that became President of Mexico. Although tutored by Spanish monks for the priesthood, he joined an Indian liberal protest group and got his law degree instead. Starting in 1831, Benito served in many elected offices from city councilor, state representative, judge, secretary and advisor to several Mexican presidents, national representative, and governor of Oaxaca to President of the Supreme Court (equivalent to Vice President), becoming President of Mexico by 1858.
Juárez was a liberal who fought for the rights of the poor, the workers and women and to reform the government, courts, laws, church and taxes. He introduced many new ideas in education, agriculture, mining and finances. He wanted to keep Mexico independent, democratize her and write a new constitution. And always beside him in countless deadly political and military battles was his beloved Margarita. Whenever Benito was arrested, exiled, and nearly assassinated for fighting for justice, Margarita and the children fled from friendly hacienda to hacienda to survive. She even ran a store to support her family and earn money to send her husband in exile.
When Benito became President of Mexico in 1858, radical opposition conservative, military and church forces within Mexico rejected him and he had to escape Mexico City for Veracruz. Margarita and the children left the capitol, too, crossing the dangerous eastern sierras at night to avoid capture and joining Benito on the coast. By 1861Juárez and his liberal armies defeated the opposition army and he returned as President triumphantly to Mexico City. He called Congress and planned to continue the reforms.
But in 1864-66, Juárez and Mexico faced a more ominous threat – invasion by France. The economy had been so disrupted by the war that Mexico could not pay her foreign debts. After Benito suspended payments for two years, France sent an army to collect what was due and occupy Mexico. Benito remained as President but went to Chihuahua for safety. Margarita and the children went to live in Washington, DC. She lobbied for Mexico and attended White House receptions in her honor and Benito’s. General Grant dedicated a dance to her, President Johnson provided her a ship to return to Mexico and the U.S. sent arms for Benito’s army. Over 50,000 Mexicans died driving the French out. In 1867, she returned to join her husband, the President, in Mexico City.
Margarita is an excellent role model for first lady, showing super human love for her husband and family, as well as courage and service to the nation. She died in 1871 and he in 1872. As a reminder to all, in 1966 her name was written in bold gold letters across the wall of the House Chamber of the Mexican National Congress - for this woman and others like her had fought as hard to reform and keep Mexico independent as anyone.
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