Doña Teresa de Aguilera y Roche

Doña Teresa de Aguilera y Roche. . , Doña Teresa de Aguilera y Roche was an aristocratic and educated woman in seventeenth century New Mexico. She and her husband, Governor Bernardo López de Mendizábal, exhibited elite lifestyles rarely seen in the remote colony. As governor, don Bernardo ran afoul of influential settlers and Franciscan clergy. Both doña Teresa and don Bernardo were accused of heresy, sorcery, and Judaizing - secretly practicing Judaism under the guise of Catholicism. In October 1662, they were taken to Mexico City to face the Holy Office of the Inquisition. Don Bernardo died in prison, but doña Teresa meticulously rebutted the charges made against her, and the case was suspended in December 1664. Her case offers insight into social political, and religious strife in colonial New Mexico on the eve of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt., Reverse , New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative , . The New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative was founded in 2005 by members of the New Mexico Women's Forum in a statewide effort to recognize women's contributions to New Mexico history on the state's Official Scenic Historic Markers. The Initiative ensures that women's diverse histories will be remembered and told, and will inspire and provide a guide for future generations. The 2006 Legislature funded the project.