Isabel Barreto

Isabel Barreto de Castro, was a Spanish sailor and traveler, one of the earliest known woman to hold the office of admiral in history. She was purportedly the granddaughter of Francisco Barreto, governor of Portuguese India. Isabel Barreto married Alvaro de Mendaña, Spanish navigator, patron of several expeditions to the Pacific Ocean, and European discoverer of the Solomon Islands and the Marquesas Islands.