Teresa de Ahumada's legacy lies in being the first American to follow in the footsteps of the reformed Carmelites.

Teresa de Ahumada's childhood was marked by the death of her mother on 14 November 1567, a year after the girl's birth.

Nine years later, he would arrive at the Real Audiencia of Quito and on 1 January 1550, Lorenzo was named councilor of the town council and also treasurer of the Royal Treasury.

The latter was born from an illegitimate union of LicenciadoGaspar de Espinosa, judge of Santo Domingo and first governor of Panama, with an indigenous woman.

During his stay in Quito, Lorenzo was Judge of Residence of Adelantado Juan de Salinas and Fiscal Visitor of Loja, Cuenca and Zamora.

In the portrait, he painted Teresa de Ahumada dressed as a Carmelite with the typical brown habit and a white cape of 10 years of age.

She would continue to wear the habit until she began the novitiate in 1581 in Convento de San José in Ávila.

On 5 November 1582, Teresa de Ahumada gave her vows and was received by Anne of Saint Bartholomew.

[1] Teresa de Ahumada learned to read and write from a young age, her family being very interested in the child's education.

[6] Teresa de Ahumada followed in the footsteps of her aunt, and the entire family supported her.

She made her profession in October 1582, in the convent of San José de Ávila with the help of the Most Reverend Father Fray Juan Bautista Cafardo.

[6] From her convent life, there are records of her daily practices, among which the prayer of the Rosary stands out, something she had learned when she was very young.

Additionally, there is a sculpture of El Quitito, a name that already reveals its prominence since Teresa de Ahumada took it to Carmelo in 1575 when she arrived from Quito.