Maria Felipa

Maria Felipa de Oliveira (died July 4, 1873) was an Afro-Brazilian independence fighter. She is believed to be from island of Itaparica, Bahia, and was active during the Brazilian War of Independence. The independence struggle against the Portuguese lasted a little over a year, with many battles centered on Itaparica. Maria Felipa is noted as one of three women who participated in the struggle for Bahia's independence in 1823, the others being the military figure Maria Quitéria (1792–1853) and Sister Joana Angélica (1761–1822). The activities of the group extended to the day when the flag of Brazil was first raised over the Forte de São Lourenço. Maria Felipa, Joana Soaleira, Brígida do Vale, and a woman known as Marcolina occupied the warehouse of the wealthy Portuguese fish merchant Araújo Mendes.

A monument to Maria Felipa was erected in Salvador, Bahia, in 2023, as part of celebrations of 200 years of Brazilian independence.

The community of Itaparica added her name and date of death to a plaque commemorating the heroes of Independence. The date used was given by Ubaldo Osório Pimentel, although no record of her death has been found.