Mother Tonka is undoubtedly the most legendary of Bulgarian women. She was a simple woman, born in Rousse in 1812, who became one of the most illustrious names in the Bulgarian national pantheon. Such personalities do not appear in calm and monotonous times. They arrive in critical periods but do not disappear with them, they remain, something like churches, where one can find consolation and spiritual support. Her exceptional self-command is legendary. Despite strict Turkish controls, her house received Gueorgui Rakovski on several occasions and she used to say that he lit the fire of patriotism inside her. Anguel Kantchev also found refuge there and the Rousse revolutionary committee was created there. Panaïot Volov stayed there for a long time to heal wounds received during difficult times and there were many others. While the basement of the house was filled with weapons and rebels, the Turks who were in the lounge above, suspected nothing. It was like keeping gunpowder and fire under the same roof... a coughing fit in the room where the rebels were hiding, would have been sufficient to provoke the flow of a stream of blood towards the Danube. Mother Tonka organized the expulsion of the Greek ecclesiastical dignitary Sinessius, from Rousse. She gave her blessing to her 5 sons when they participated in the combat for the great cause; Bulgaria’s liberty, and three of them who took a very active part in the revolts, lost their lives for it. Mother Tonka’s name is still a symbol of impressive feminine determination for what it right, and the Bulgars unique sacrifice for their homeland !