CARMEN SERDÁN ALATRISTE: BIOGRAPHY - HISTORY - 2025

Carmen Serdán Alatriste (1873 - 1948) was an outstanding soldier, recognized for being one of the first Mexican revolutionaries of the cause of 1910. Serdán embraced the Maderista cause and joined in the first stage of the revolutionary struggle against the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz.

Together with her brothers Aquiles and Máximo, she took up arms to fight in the revolution and founded a group of women fighters financially supported by Francisco Madero.

CDGJ965commons, from Wikimedia Commons

In addition, he was a participant with his mother and brothers in the National Anti-reelection Party, led by Madero to seek a change in Mexican politics, promote Madero as the next president and end the abuses of power by Porfirio Díaz and his cabinet.

On the other hand, Carmen Serdán bravely defended her house from the police, inviting the insurrection to begin. Today her house is part of the Museum of the Revolution, located in Puebla, Mexico.

Biography

Inheritance and family

Carmen Serdán Alatriste was born on November 11, 1873 in Puebla, Mexico, under the name of María del Carmen Serdán Alatriste.

She was the eldest daughter of the lawyer Manuel Serdán Guanes, known for being one of the drafters of the first agrarian reform plan in Mexico and a participant in the battle of May 5, 1862 against the French.

His mother, María del Carmen Alatriste Cuesta, granddaughter of General Miguel Cástulo Alatriste, was a lawyer who fought alongside the liberal side in the War of the Reform and in the intervention of the French in Mexico. She had three brothers: Aquiles, Máximo and Natalia, united and raised under the same roof.

Influenced by well-defined political ideologies of their predecessors, they were characterized by having received principles related to freedom and defense of human rights. The Serdán brothers stood together defending the same values ​​inherited from their ancestors.

Early life

Carmen began her first studies at a private school for girls, and later, at the Teresiano School. In this institution she learned to read and write, in addition to other lessons that she kept at home with her mother.

The Serdán family was distinguished by having a good social position, so Carmen learned some aspects related to the arts, which were considered activities for men at the time.

When her father died, Carmen was only 4 years old. She had to assume responsibility for her home from a very young age as the eldest daughter. For this reason, from her young age she managed to form character, power and decision in the face of adversity.

However, the Serdán Alatriste family had to leave the parental home due to the bad economic situation they faced, so they had to move to a much smaller house. As the years passed, Carmen Serdán had assumed her father's place in front of her brothers.

Although she was educated under Porfirian principles, which should deal only with housework, Carmen Serdán stood out for differing from the image of the traditional Porfirian lady. Otherwise, she acquired an atypical character compared to the women of her time.

Porfiriato

After several years of conflict to come to power, Porfirio Díaz finally took the position of president in 1876 for a period of 4 years as declared by the 1857 constitution. Díaz had stood out as a military man who participated in the Second French Intervention of Mexico with the liberal side.

From an early age, Carmen Serdán grew up under the rule of Porfirio Díaz. The Porfiriato was a stage in the history of Mexico in which the country was being dominated under the military control of Díaz.

After the installation in power of the politician Manuel González for the period 1880 - 1884, supported by a presidential election, Díaz finally won the elections in 1884 with the help of the ecclesiastical and business sectors. From that date, Díaz ruled uninterruptedly.

Although the Díaz government experienced notable growth in the economy, political stability deteriorated significantly.

From that moment on, unrest grew in Mexican citizens who were against the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. Hence, many intellectuals and groups of workers headed anti-reelection clubs.

Diaz - Creelman interview

In March 1908, Porfirio Díaz gave an interview to Canadian journalist James Creelman two years before the presidential elections.

The intention of the interview was due to the concern that the United States had not only with the issue related to reelection, but also with the political situation in Mexico.

In the interview, Díaz said that his intention was always to keep Mexico away from war and conflict, as well as economic recovery after being exposed to poverty. While she claimed that her methods to achieve this end were harsh, she admitted that it was worth it to save all citizens.

The trigger for the subsequent conflicts was the declaration of his democratic principles and the separation from the position of president after the 1910 elections; which would mean a resignation from the many re-elections of Díaz.

From that interview, many opposition political groups took a position and became more relevant after Díaz's statements. In this sense, the politician Francisco Madero began a journey with a view to forming a political party that would defend the country from the Díaz dictatorship.

Coupled with this, Carmen Serdán was one of the few women who disseminated the interview in political meetings, as well as the ideas of changing the situation in Mexico.

National Anti-reelection Party

Although Díaz tried to maintain an image of order and peace in Mexico, the pressure from various groups increased, which is why a series of groups that were against the re-election of Porfirio Díaz resulted.

On May 22, 1909, at the initiative of Francisco Madero, the National Anti-reelection Party was created with the intention of participating in the presidential elections in Mexico and eliminating the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz.

Carmen Serdán, motivated by a spirit of political change, decided to get involved with the anti-reelectionist group like her brothers Aquiles and Máximo. Her sister Natalia got married and at that time she decided to dedicate herself to her new family.

The principles of the political party were democracy, effective suffrage instead of reelection, defense of the constitution and respect for individual guarantees. The party had plans to launch Francisco Madero as a candidate for the presidency.

Inclusion of the Serdán Alatriste family to political life

Carmen's brothers (Aquiles and Máximo), being of legal age, could assume the political responsibilities that he longed for. For that reason, both brothers joined the National Reelection Party.

That same year and by decision of the party, Aquiles was elected president of the party in the state of Puebla. Later, both Carmen and her mother joined the party for the non-reelection of Porfirio Díaz.

Hence, Carmen Serdán became more strongly involved in Mexican politics, being one of the party's spokespersons.

Background to the Mexican Revolution

In 1910, Francisco Madero began to make several tours throughout the Mexican territory exposing his anti-reelectionist political party and inviting the elections of that year.

For this reason, Díaz launched a new candidacy for the presidency and arrested Madero in San Luis Potosí for reasons of insurrection against his presidency. While he was in jail, the presidential elections were gestated, with Porfirio Díaz as the winner again.

However, Madero managed to escape and went to San Antonio, Texas, where Aquiles Serdán moved after a few days in support of Madero.

In October of that same year, Carmen traveled to San Antonio where she finally managed to talk with Madero, in addition to bringing him some supplies for both himself and his brother.

The Serdán brothers were among the first to receive instructions from Madero to start the revolution on November 20 of that year.

After a few days, Madero called on all the Mexican people to start the revolution by proclaiming the Plan of San Luis. From there, Carmen and her brother began their activities to start the revolution.

Leadership of Carmen Serdán

After the event of the interview with Porfirio Díaz, a group of women headed by Carmen Serdán were part of the groups that would face each other in the Mexican Revolution.

After Madero's journey to San Luis Potosí, he was surprised by the group of women, as well as Carmen's political training and leadership.

For several nights, Carmen posted political propaganda against the Díaz dictatorship through the streets of Puebla, in addition to distributing gunpowder and dynamite among other revolutionaries. She also made bombs, made purchases of rifles and pistols under the pseudonym "Marcos Serrato."

Although Carmen was a very religious woman, the revolutionary cause was even stronger than her other beliefs. She was characterized by her brave, determined and brave personality. It is presumed that she suffered from epilepsy, but it was not an impediment to her political relationships and revolutionary ideas.

Madero had offered remuneration to the political group led by Carmen Serdán. After a few months, Sara Pérez Romero, Madero's wife, joined the group.

Preparation for the revolution

On November 20, 1910, Carmen was in charge of the revolutionary movement in Puebla under the pseudonym "Marcos Serrato" to be able to freely exchange messages with her brother Aquiles, who was in San Antonio, Texas.

While many of the revolutionaries were watched over by the governor of Puebla, Mucio Martínez, the women of the group were in charge of the preparations for war and the dissemination of the plan proposed by Madero.

Conflict in the Serdan house

The Serdán family home, located in the city of Puebla, served as a meeting point with some of the members of the Madero political party.

On November 18, 1910, a few days before Madero's call, a group of policemen arrived at the Serdán house with a search and arrest warrant against Achilles. When the policemen entered the house, they began to shoot, gradually turning into an exchange of gunfire from both sides.

While the shooting was taking place, Carmen Serdán shouted from the balcony inviting the people to participate in the revolution, while Aquiles was hiding in the basement of the house.

When the conflict ended, Carmen, her sister-in-law and her mother were wounded and captured, accusing them of reloading the weapons of their companions during the shooting. In her defense, Carmen Serdán was called to declare what happened.

The three women were later sent to La Merced jail and later to the San Pedro Hospital. In fact, Carmen even wrote a letter in which she declared the events from beginning to end. The letter was taken as the best of the testimonies.

The day after the conflict, Aquiles Serdán, who was still hiding in his home, was assassinated by one of the officers guarding the place.

Participation in the second stage of the revolution

After the events of November 20, 1910, Carmen Serdán continued in the revolutionary struggle in its second stage.

After the coup that Victoriano Huerta gave to Francisco Madero in 1913, he was on the side of the revolution with the Revolutionary Junta in Puebla; an organization founded by her in favor of her revolutionary anti-horticultural ideas.

Within the junta, Carmen was active in providing weapons to the rebels, recruiting troops, and participating in the distribution of information.

On the other hand, he held several conversations with Venustiano Carranza and Emiliano Zapata clandestinely, in addition to organizing a group of nurses at the service of those injured by the cause.

Carmen Serdán never married, but dedicated her life to study and revolution. However, it is said that several times she received invitations from Venustiano Carranza to which she went with several of her friends.

Last years

After the triumph of the Constitutionalists, Carmen Serdán retired from public and political life. The Constitutionalists were a group of politicians, led by Carranza, who intended to reform the liberal constitution of 1857.

Carmen Serdán died on August 28, 1948 at the age of 75 in her hometown. In her death, she remained alone and out of public life; in fact, she never wanted to profit from her revolutionary exploits and she didn't ask for any kind of reward either.

References

1. María del Carmen Serdán Alatriste, Portal Geneanet, (nd). Taken from gw.geneanet.org
2. Carmen Serdán Alatriste, Fátima García de Loera, (nd). Taken from wikipuebla.poblanerias.com
3. María del Carmen Serdán Alatriste, Puebla City Inclusive Website, (nd). Taken from pueblacapital.gob.mx
4. Carmen Serdán Alatriste, Wikipedia in English, (nd). Taken from Wikipedia.org
5. Carmen Serdán: the historical invisibility of the warriors of the Mexican Revolution in the face of cultural representations of the myth of the soldadera, María Teresa Martínez-Ortiz, (nd). Taken from cmas.siu.buap.mx