Sánchez was raised in a nationalist family which was critical of the Haitian regime which ruled the country from 1822 to 1844 and the Spanish annexation of the country which lasted from 1861 to 1865. She was strongly influenced by her aunt Trinidad and her commitment to the independence of the Dominican Republic. Another influence was Madame Roland a writer and leading figure of the French Revolution. Sánchez began writing and publishing her views, both openly and using the pseudonym Rosa Cruz. As the first feminist journalist in the country, she publicly exposed the corruption of the authorities, and was described as behaving like a man for her outspokenness. In addition to her nationalist position, Sánchez wrote articles advocating for women's education and employment. She wrote for various newspapers, including "El Dominicano", "El Telégrafo", and "El Telegrama", all major publications in the country.