She accompanied her husband, a volunteer who rose to the rank of colonel, throughout the war. Three of her sons were killed in the struggle. She is remembered for her willingness to sacrifice her family and herself to achieve independence from Spain, and came to be known as "La Generala". She fought alongside Jose Maria Moreles until her death.
In more urban areas, women worked as servants or street vendors, selling from food to clothes. If these women were not in the market place, they were back in their homes doing domestic housework, as in cooking and cleaning. The family was living in Jaleaca when the war of independence broke out in September Antonia Nava accompanied him throughout the war.
Morelos had received orders from Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla to raise a rebellion in the south and take the port of Acapulco. On 4 January Morelos successfully attacked Tres Palos, taking many prisoners and much booty. On 8 February Morelos advanced on Acapulco. Morelos retreated. She replied "I do not come to mourn. I do not regret the death of my son. I know he did his duty. I come to bring you my other four sons. Three can serve as soldiers and one, who is small, will be a drummer.
After this, on 3 May the revolutionaries left for Chilpancingo, where Morelos prepared for the capture of Tixtla, which fell at noon on 26 May They agreed to sacrifice one soldier out of every ten to serve as food for the troops. This was refused, but the offer had roused the fighting spirit of the revolutionaries.
She said, "Give us women weapons and together we will break the siege". He was promoted to colonel on 19 April The family settled in Chilpancingo. After the Mexican War of Independence women were seen as indispensable and continued to contribute to the wars after the War of Independence, like the soldaderas that fought during the Mexican Revolution.
