This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating some fearless, game-changing Caribbean women who have made an indelible mark on history, culture, and society. Every day in March, we’ll spotlight one extraordinary woman—sharing her story, achievements, and lasting impact. From pioneers in politics and science to icons in the arts and activism, join us as we honor 31 trailblazing women in 31 days! Today, Haitian revolutionaries.
Victoria Montou: The Warrior Woman of the Haitian Revolution
Victoria Montou, known as Toya, was a fearless fighter in the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) and a mentor to Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the leader who secured Haiti’s independence. As one of the few recorded women warriors in the revolution, she fought relentlessly to free enslaved Haitians from French rule.
Born into slavery in the 18th century, Montou was a strong, determined woman who refused to accept oppression. While little is known about her early life, historical records show that she played a critical role in training and inspiring soldiers in Haiti’s fight for freedom. She was part of an elite group of revolutionaries who carried out military strategies and guerrilla warfare against the French.
Montou wasn’t just a fighter—she was a leader. She became a captain in Dessalines’ army, making her one of the highest-ranking women in the revolution. Her combat skills and battlefield experience made her a respected figure among Haitian soldiers. She was known for her bravery, fighting side by side with men, wielding a machete in battle, and strategizing attacks.
After Haiti’s independence in 1804, Montou lived to see the birth of the first free Black republic in the Western Hemisphere. Though history often overlooks women in war, Montou’s legacy remains as a symbol of strength and resistance. Today, she is honored as one of the great female warriors of the Haitian Revolution.
Lieutenant Suzanne “Sanite” Belair: Haiti’s Fearless Revolutionary Heroine
Sanite Belair was a Haitian revolutionary lieutenant who fought for Haiti’s independence. She remains one of Haiti’s most revered female warriors, a symbol of courage and defiance.
Born in 1772 in Verrettes, Saint-Domingue (Haiti), Belair grew up under French colonial rule. Enslaved people were brutally oppressed, and Belair refused to accept this fate. She joined the Haitian resistance, fighting alongside her husband, General Charles Belair.
Sanite quickly rose through the ranks as a lieutenant in Toussaint Louverture’s army, leading troops in battle. She was known for her fierce combat skills, inspiring speeches, and unwavering dedication to the revolution.
In 1802, she was captured by French forces during the Napoleonic invasion. Though offered a chance to beg for mercy, she refused to kneel before her captors. Instead, she stood tall, declaring her loyalty to Haiti’s freedom before she was executed at age 30.
Her bravery has been honored in Haiti’s history, and in 2004, she was featured on Haiti’s 10-gourde banknote. Sanite Belair’s story is one of strength, sacrifice, and unbreakable resistance.
Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniere: The Revolutionary Who Defied All Odds
Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniere is one of the least known but most fascinating women of the Haitian Revolution. She fought in some of the most critical battles against the French, standing shoulder to shoulder with male soldiers.
Her early life remains a mystery, but she emerged as a fierce combatant during the 1790s, fighting in Haiti’s war for independence. Unlike most women of her time, she took part in direct combat, wearing a military uniform and wielding a rifle. She was part of Toussaint Louverture’s forces, often seen leading attacks, encouraging soldiers, and showing extraordinary bravery.
Marie-Jeanne is most remembered for her role in the Siege of Crete-a-Pierrot (1802), one of the most intense battles of the Haitian Revolution. She fought relentlessly, firing weapons and even tending to wounded soldiers in between combat.
Despite her heroic efforts, history offers little record of her fate after the revolution. Yet, she remains a symbol of defiance and strength, representing the unbreakable spirit of Haitian women in the fight for freedom.
