Evening Speaker Series and Wine Reception: Las Rancheras and the American Revolution

Tickets: Evening Speaker Wine Reception Series — The Heritage Society The Heritage Society Presents in Celebration of Women’s History Month How Las Rancheras Helped the American Revolution Thursday, March 26 • 6:00 PM 1100 Bagby Street, HTX 77002 (Free parking at 212 Dallas Street) Tickets Here In honor of Women’s History Month, The Heritage Society presents an Evening Speaker Series event featuring historian Dr. Erika Arredondo‑Haskins, whose research brings long‑overlooked Tejana women to the forefront of early American history. Her work on Spanish Texas women—las rancheras—reveals how their leadership, resilience, and cultural influence shaped the political and social landscape during the era of the American Revolution. This program draws from Dr. Arredondo‑Haskins’ extensive scholarship and public history work, including her exhibitions and invited presentations on Spanish Texas women (“Rancheras: Spanish Texas Women and their Contributions to American Independence” and multiple invited talks on the same theme).  Tickets are $10. Wine and cheese will be served. Tickets and more information - Evening Speaker Wine Reception Series — The Heritage Society “It’s important that we expand the story of the American Revolution through women’s voices,” says Jill Brooks, an America 250 leader, board member, and exhibit co-curator at The Heritage Society. Program Overview How Las Rancheras Helped the American Revolution explores the vital contributions of Tejana women who lived along the northern frontier of New Spain. These women—landowners, cultural stewards, community leaders, and political actors—played essential roles in stabilizing frontier settlements, sustaining local economies, and shaping diplomatic relationships that influenced the broader struggle for independence in North America. Guests will discover how ranchera women: Exercised authority through landownership, ranching operations, and family networks Preserved cultural and religious traditions that anchored frontier communities Influenced political alliances among Spanish officials, Indigenous groups, and settlers Contributed indirectly yet powerfully to the conditions that supported the American cause By centering women’s experiences, this program reframes the American Revolution as a hemispheric story—one in which the contributions of Spanish Texas women are indispensable. Why This Matters for Women’s History Month Dr. Arredondo‑Haskins’ work directly aligns with the mission of Women’s History Month: to recover, honor, and elevate the stories of women whose impact has shaped our shared history. Her research restores visibility to Tejana women whose leadership has long been overshadowed, offering a richer and more inclusive understanding of the American past. Speaker Bio: Dr. Erika Arredondo‑Haskins Dr. Erika Arredondo‑Haskins is a historian, educator, and public humanities scholar whose work centers on the lives, leadership, and cultural impact of women in Spani...