María Josefa Crescencia Ortiz Téllez- Girón,[1] popularly known as Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez or La Corregidora (April 19, 1773[2] – March 2, 1829) was an insurgent and supporter of the Mexican War of Independence, which fought for independence against Spain, in the early 19th century. She was married to Miguel Domínguez, corregidor of the city of Querétaro, hence her nickname.

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Ortiz de Domínguez was the daughter of don Juan José Ortiz;[2] a captain of Los Verdes regiment, and his wife doña Manuela Girón[1][2] Ortiz was born in Valladolid (today Morelia, Michoacán).[2] Her godmother was doña Ana María de Anaya.[1] Ortiz's father was killed in a battle during her infancy and her mother died soon after.[2] María Sotera Ortiz, Josefa's sister, took care of her upbringing and managed tosecure a place for her in the prestigious Colegio de las Vizcaínas in 1789.[2] She married Miguel Domínguez, a frequent visitor to the college, on January 24, 1791 in Mexico City.[2]

In 1802, Miguel Domínguez was appointed by the Viceroy of New Spain to the office of "Corregidor" (a magistrate) in the city of Querétaro. During that period, Ortiz de Domínguez took care of household chores and the education of their 14 children. Ortiz de Domínguez developed an early sympathy for the Amerindian, mestizo and the criollo community who were oppressed by the Spanish colonial government. Amerindian people were oppressed; mestizos and criollos were often seen as second-class citizens and were relegated to secondary roles in the administration of the colony. This obviously created discontent among many criollos who