Pancha Carrasco, Woman Warrior

Costa Rican military heroine Pancha Carrasco was born on April 8, 1826.  Armed with a loaded rifle and an apron full of bullets, she joined her countrymen at the Battle of Rivas in 1856.  Carrasco defended Costa Rica against William Walker, the terrorist invader from the North.   Walker was trying to establish a slave holding territory within the Costa Rican nation.  Carrasco is an honored person in Costa Rican history, with a postage stamp and Costa Rican Coast Guard vessel named in her honor.