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Article on Latina Wage Gap on NBC Latino

Posted in nonfiction/articles, tagged , , , , on April 23, 2013 |

The Latina wage gap is worse for immigrant women. (Getty Images)The Latina wage gap is worse for immigrant women. (Getty Images)

Latina gender wage gap is even harsher for immigrant women

by Erika L. Sánchez

12:00 am on 04/20/2013

It’s no secret that Latinas are the hardest hit by the gender wage gap. A recent analysis from the National Partnership for Women and Families showed that Latinas are paid 55 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men  in the nation’s top 50 metro areas. Although wage disparities exist at all career levels for Latinas, immigrant women are especially susceptible and are considered the least economically secure population in the United States.

Currently, there are approximately 5.4 million undocumented immigrant women living and working in the United States who must work the lowest-paying jobs because of their immigration status. In 2011, 208,000 Latina women worked in jobs paying below the federal minimum wage compared to 172,000 Latino men.

Research shows that a woman’s average lifetime earnings are more than $434,000 less than a comparable male counterpart over a 35-year working life. This means very difficult financial choices for women of color, who are more likely to be the breadwinners that than their white counterparts.

RELATED: On Equal Pay Day, concern over Latina wage gap

“When women are not paid enough, it affects their families, particularly the education of their children,” says Claudia Williams, research analyst at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.

She says that this lack of financial security also means that they are less likely to save for retirement.

Williams believes that immigration reform would improve women’s economic circumstances. If they are subject to abuse, they would also be able to move to another job. Not only are undocumented Latinas underpaid, they must often work in hostile environments. Women in agribusiness, for instance, experience high levels of sexual harassment and sexual violence at work and their undocumented status makes it very difficult for them to challenge these conditions or look for other jobs

Iliana Guadalupe Perez, 25, an independent contractor who helps educate other undocumented immigrants to find her kind of work, says that though her sales and marketing contracting has certain benefits, such as flexibility and a fairly high hourly rate, it’s not what she wants to do in the long run. “This has nothing to do with what I’ve studied,” Perez says. “My degree in math was useless. I couldn’t even get an interview. This is not my ideal situation.” Perez, who is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Education and a Masters in Economics, says her dream job would be working in the U.N. or the World Bank

Another disadvantage is in her line of work, Perez says, is that she’s unable to get tenure, which would result in pay increases over time. Not only that, she points out that undocumented people don’t have the option of insurance, retirement funds, or investment funds.

Perez also feels that immigration reform will significantly improve the financial status of Latinas. “It will give a lot of Latinas the opportunities to use their skills. A lot are educated but are limited to their potential. A Social Security number would allow people to explore new avenues for employment.”

RELATED: New figures show Latina women hit hard by wage gap

Ann Garcia, an immigration policy analyst at the Center for American Progress, says that the Paycheck Fairness Act and immigration reform would help close the wage gap for Latinas and improve the economy. “When you legalize workers, you offer them citizenship. Taking the worker out of the economic sidelines would cause a rise in productivity and wages that would create a great ripple effect in the economy,” says Garcia.

According to the Center for American Progress, immigration reform that would legalize the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. would add a cumulative $1.5 trillion to U.S. gross domestic product, or GDP, over 10 years.

Garcia says that American workers and undocumented immigrants would see a huge rise in income and that the boost in wages would be bigger for woman than men. “It would provide improved economic outcomes through increased legal protections, better investments in education and training, higher paying jobs, economic mobility. It would also easier for people to start their own business,” Garcia says. “If we can have economic actors earning more, consuming more, and paying higher taxes, the economy would see a serious amount of growth.”

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Article on Mujeres Latinas en Acción on NBC Latino

Posted in nonfiction/articles, tagged , , , on March 19, 2013 |

Mujeres en Accion is celebrating their 40th Anniversary, making them one of the oldest Latina services organizations.Mujeres en Accion is celebrating their 40th Anniversary, making them one of the oldest Latina services organizations. (Claire Denton-Spalding)

40 years later, Chicago organization is still fueling Latina success

by Erika L. Sánchez

12:00 am on 03/17/2013

This is the third installment of Latinas empowering other Latinas to succeed in honor of Women’s History Month. 

Maria Pesqueira, president and CEO of Mujeres Latinas en Acción, grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago, but always felt like she was part of the Pilsen community, a predominately Latino working class neighborhood of Chicago where her family would spend their weekends. “I really felt like I was at home,” she says.

Pesqueira has now worked in the community for 20 years and has been at Mujeres Latinas en Acción for 11 years. “The history in this community is of social service,” she says. “Our mission as a whole is to empower Latinas and their families.”

According to Pesqueira, the organization began in the early 70s when the Chicana movement was emerging. During this time, a group of Chicago women saw a need for bilingual and bicultural social services for Latinas. This year Mujeres Latinas en Acción is celebrating their 40th anniversary and is considered the longest standing incorporated Latina organization in the nation.

Women in Transition helps Latinas apply for aid (Photo by Claire Denton-Spalding)

Women in Transition helps Latinas become entrepreneurs.

Prior to working at Mujeres Latinas en Acción, Claudia Alcántara, director of the Women in Transition Program, was a Montessori teacher. She says that during this time she realized that parents had a lot of needs that were not being met.

“There was something that was pushing me to help other people like me. They were going through acculturation and all these types of things immigrants live,” she says. “I wanted to be closer to the community, not just as a teacher.”

 RELATED: Six Figures: A social worker teaches to use your own experiences for empowerment

Alcántara describes the Women in Transition Program as the bridge between the community and the Department of Human Resources. The program helps Latinas by providing information and referrals for resources in the organization and community, case management to assist them in obtaining public benefits, and emergency financial assistance for those who qualify.

The organization is multifaceted and offers support through a variety of other programs– Latina Leadership, Domestic Violence, and Parent Support, just to name a few. They also recently began a group called Empresarias del Futuro, which offers women training to become entrepreneurs.

The curriculum includes developing self-esteem, goal planning, budgeting, and interpersonal skills. Participants also learn about business development, securing loans, and marketing.

This idea emerged when Alcántara began to notice that many of the women they were serving were unaware that they had valuable skills and that they were already using them to contribute to their family’s income.

One of the participants, Alcántara says, felt insecure at first, but as she participated in the group, she began gaining self-esteem and self-confidence. Eventually, she even began her own cleaning business. “I think this is empowering for these people, especially women who don’t know that they have the talent they can develop,” she says.

RELATED: Women’s History Month: Latinas build confidence through photography in Los Angeles

Pesqueira says that one the major challenges facing Latinas today is the economy. Juggling work, children, and their personal lives can really affect their health. “Latinas are the biggest uninsured group in this country,” she says. “A lot of women are working without taking care of their mind and body.”

Regardless of their hardships, Pesqueira believes Latinas are resilient and compassionate. “Latinas have an amazing spirit to seguir adelante. It isn’t just about themselves, but helping others around them,” she says. “It’s no surprise that they are helping the economy and I don’t think they get their due respect for that.”

Alcántara has observed that Latinas often struggle to recognize their own strengths, and many of their programs address that. “They need to believe in themselves,” she says. “Sometimes they’re not connected within the community and they don’t realize that they have the power to move forward.”

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Article on The Latina A.R.M.Y on NBC Latino

Posted in nonfiction/articles, tagged , , , on March 16, 2013 |

Event was workshop partnership with Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders (BCYL).

Event was workshop partnership with Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders (BCYL). (Photo courtesy the Latina A.R.M.Y.)

Women’s history month: An army to motivate young Latinas

by Erika L. Sánchez

5:00 am on 03/01/2013

This is the first installment of Latinas empowering other Latinas to succeed in honor of Women’s History Month. 

Nancy Roldán Johnson always knew she wanted a better life. “In the process of growing up, I just saw a lot of negative behavior around me, and, ironically, I was comforted by shows like the Cosbys and the Brady Bunch. I said ‘that’s the kind of life I want.’”

A defining moment in her life, Johnson says, was when one of her teachers looked at her and said, “’you– you’re going to be somebody one day. I’m going to read about you one day.’”

That interaction sparked something inside of her. “That really made me think ‘what am Isupposed to do?’” she says

A daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants, born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Johnson was the first in her very large family to attend and graduate college.

“The journey of going to college was very isolating and difficult,” she says, “and my goal was to one day, make the journey for one girl a little bit easier.”

Johnson says that the idea for an organization began when she wrote a letter to her estranged mother who had just had a heart attack.“I realized she did the absolute best job that she knew how to do and that she loved me unconditionally. It was life-changing for me,” she says. “I thought I could help young girls by writing a self-help book.

Though the plan to publish her self-help book didn’t pan out like she expected, this propelled her to create an organization to empower Latinas.

Johnson says that alarming statistics about Latinas also made her want to act. “I was shocked that very, very little people were talking about, especially at a mass level, that young Latinas are struggling– 53 percent become pregnant at least once before they turn 20, the high school drop out rate is incredibly high, and they’re attempting suicide in really high numbers,” she says.

Johnson realized she knew a lot of Latina women who had defied the odds, and that together, they could mobilize. In 2008, Johnson and her friend Carmen R. Marcano-Davis, Ph.D., formedThe Latina A.R.M.Y  (Accomplished Role-Models Motivating Young Latinas).

“The exposure to everyday Latina role models, not just the Jennifer Lopezes and the celebrities, but everyday, hardworking Latina women that are adding value to society, that’s what I think is important for our young kids,” she says.

IMG_0924The core program of the Latina A.R.M.Y is conducted during the school day with the cooperation of a guidance counselor. Setting goals and identifying the people who could help them are major components of the workshops. The four tools they use are known as J.A.R.S. (journaling, affirmations, rules, and setting goals), and their logo is a butterfly. “Like the butterfly,” she says, “it’s a journey from inside out.”

One success story that stands out for Johnson is of a young girl who had difficulty communicating with her mother. She decided to use the tools she learned in the workshop by using a whiteboard to identify all of her negative thoughts. “As soon as she had a grip on the negative thought,” Johnson says, “she was going to cross it out and replace it with something positive.” Her mother then did the same and both were able to better understand each other.

Another participant told Johnson that the program gave her the courage to tell her family she was gay, and when she did, her mother was joyful and relieved; it was a celebratory moment.

Getting involved in the program is simple, Johnson says. Anyone can go to the website to fill out a volunteer form. Once a volunteer goes through a screening process, she receives materials to learn how to conduct a workshop.

Johnson also urges Latinos to help their communities by serving on nonprofit boards. “It’s a way to build leadership and really make change,” she says.

A small gesture can also make a world of difference, like it did for Johnson when she was a young girl.

“When you see someone, a young girl or a young boy,” she says, “look them in the eye and tell them that you expect great things from them.”

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Roe v. Wade 40 years later: Latinas weigh in on abortion

Posted in nonfiction/articles, tagged , , , on January 22, 2013 |

Pro choice advocate Johannes Schimdt (L) argues his point of view to pro-life supporters in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building January 22, 2007 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Pro choice advocate Johannes Schimdt (L) argues his point of view to pro-life supporters in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building January 22, 2007 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) ( )

Roe v. Wade 40 years later: Latinas weigh in on abortion

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and although the ruling still stands, and President Obama has vowed to protect access to birth control and abortion, women’s reproductive rights continue to be challenged.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 42 states and the District of Columbia enacted 122 provisions related to reproductive health and rights in 2012, and one-third of these new provisions, 43 in 19 states, sought to restrict access to abortion services. It is the second highest number of new abortion restrictions passed in a year.

These restrictions continue despite evidence of changing attitudes towards abortion. A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that seven in 10 respondents oppose Roe v. Wade being overturned, which is the highest percentage on this question since 1989. “The dialogue we have had in the last year has contributed … to inform and shift attitudes,” said Republican pollster Bill McInturff.

Latinos might be a large portion of that percentage. According to the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, the media’s notion that Latinos are socially conservative is also inaccurate. “Latinos are typically portrayed as very religious and very Catholic. The reality is that 90 percent of married Catholic Latinas have used birth control banned by the Vatican,” says executive director Jessica González-Rojas.

A poll conducted on behalf of NLIRH and the Reproductive Health Technologies Project(RHTP) also found that 74 percent of Latino registered voters agree that a woman has a right to make her own personal, private decisions about abortion without politicians interfering.

“Historically, the perspective of Latinos hasn’t changed. The Latino population isn’t in favor of limiting anyone’s options,” says Lorena Garcia, executive director of Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights.

But some Latinas disagree with these findings. “I think it’s totally inaccurate,” says Mercedes Arzu Wilson, founder and President of Family of the Americas Foundation, an organization that promotes natural family planning.“I wonder how they asked the question,” she says, “because most Hispanics are the ones who buy our materials.”

RELATED: Decision 2012: How parties differ on women’s health, abortion and contraception

Low-income women and women of color are rarely part of the abortion debate, but on the 40thanniversary of Roe w. Wade, many Latinas around the country will be reflecting on these new findings and discussing their thoughts on abortion.

“It’s inconceivable that any country that calls itself civilized or advanced could legalize the destruction of innocent lives,” Wilson says.

González-Rojas says that on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade her organization “will recognize that there’s a right women can utilize, but for the women we work with, accessing that right seems to be a challenge.” And because of these barriers, her organization has developed holistic approach to reproductive health. “We have a lens that incorporates issues of class, race, immigration, and sexual orientation.” She says they are also launching a new campaign called “Yo Te Apoyo” to give a voice to those who support women making a difficult choice about their pregnancy.

Maricela Lupercio, director of Latinos 4 Life, a nonprofit providing education and outreach for Latino youth and families, says she’s very passionate about counseling young girls who are pregnant and is reminded of Roe v. Wade every day. On the 40th anniversary, she says she’ll “be reflecting on the 55 million people who were not born and the many men and women who are mourning the loss of their child. I will continue to reach out to Latino families to continue the discussion.”

Some Latinas, like Garcia, will be celebrating, but ambivalently. “This means that we’ve gone 40 years and we still haven’t ensured full access to everyone. It’s a time to celebrate, but it’s also a time of reflection. I hope that across the country we’re all doing that.”

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Article on Latina Comedians on NBC Latino

Posted in nonfiction/articles, tagged , , , , , on December 4, 2012 |

Monique Marvez makes audiences laugh with her unique stand up comedy.Monique Marvez makes audiences laugh with her unique stand up comedy. (Photo courtesy Scott Sands)

Latina comedians make strides in male-dominated profession

by Erika L. Sánchez

5:00 am on 11/30/2012

Patti Vasquez decided to become a comedian when she first saw Margaret Cho. She says she saw many similarities between Cho’s Korean mother, who is a big part of her routine, and her own Mexican mother.

“It never occurred to me that I had a story to tell until I heard someone tell one much like mine,” she says.

So she took the plunge and dropped out of graduate school to pursue comedy.

Comedian Patti Vasquez (Photo by Mark McCoy)

Vasquez describes her current comedy as a journey of what’s going on in her head. “I talk about the foibles and follies of the people around me,” she says.

Dropping out of grad school to tell others her story through comedy proved to be the right choice since she has now appeared on various television shows and has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the United States, Canada and Europe.

Women like Vasquez are breaking barriers. Being both a woman and a Latina in an already competitive and male-dominated profession presents a unique set of obstacles. Everyone knows who George Lopez is, but there is no Latina stand-up comedian who has reached that level of fame.  Sure you can point to Sofia Vergara and how she has carved her place in “Modern Family” as the funny Latina, but so far no Latina stand-up comedians have made it big on the screen.

RELATED: Dominizuelan: The female improv duo take Chicago

Marga Gomez, a comedian who started out in the gay comedy scene in San Francisco over 20 years ago, says women are discouraged from being comics because comedy is very powerful. Latinas must also first overcome cultural obstacles and then navigate a field that is often very homogenous.

Comedian – Marga Gomez (Photo by Robert Barbutti)

“Women are marginalized. Latinos are marginalized,” she says. “If as a Latina comic you want to talk about your experience, it’s hard to make it relevant to the larger audience.”

Monique Marvez, who has appeared on the “Latin Divas of Comedy” and the “The Bad Girls of Comedy,” believes Latinas are often taught that family comes first and must sublimate their desires. “It took me well into my 30s because I had to undo my Latina inculcation,” she says.

Another “Latin Diva of Comedy,” Sandra Contreras, whose material focuses on social commentary and women’s experiences, says, “It’s a constant struggle to be recognized by non-Latino audiences.

 

There is still a resistance to allow Latinas to take a lead.”

Comedian Sara Contreras (Photo courtesy by Gerard H. Gaskin )

She believes, however, that some Latinas also pigeon-hole themselves by basing their material on stereotypes, which she refuses to do. “I won’t make fun of my people,” she says.

Vasquez believes there has been a resistance to female comedians in general and people often tell her “I usually don’t like female comedians, but I think you’re funny.”

There is no denying that women are funny, no matter how many times male comedians argue otherwise and no matter how many articles try to refute this. And becoming a successful Latina comedian is incredibly challenging but not impossible. These women prove it.

RELATED: Meet Aubrey Plaza, comedy’s newest “It”girl

“Don’t let the common belief that Latina women can’t make it in comedy stop you,” Gomez says.

Understanding how difficult it is to make it in the business, Gomez makes an effort to include new Latina comics at Comedy Bodega, a weekly show she hosts in San Francisco’s only Latino Drag Club.

Marvez uses a particular image to illustrate her advice to other Latinas pursuing comedy– “There are two steps,” she says, “Open the kimono — let people see who you are. Then drop it to the ground. You have to find your own voice. The more personal you can make something, the more universal it becomes.”

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Article on Gender, Race, and Humor on The Huffington Post

Posted in nonfiction/articles, tagged , , on May 22, 2012 |

“Being Latina Means Having a Good Sense of Humor”

My friend and I once argued about the comedic talents of women. Though he is very much a fan of female comedians, he claimed that he knew few funny women in real life. I insisted that he was hanging out with some serious dullards because I knew plenty of funny women. I have hilarious female friends and come from a family that loves to joke. My aunt is one of the funniest people I know. She is highly skilled in making fun of everyone in a way that is still good-natured. (The most memorable zinger likened someone to the Ku Klux Klan.)

At first I was taken aback by my friend’s claim that there was a dearth of comedic ladies in his life, but then he insisted it was because women are often not expected to be funny, which I can’t really disagree with. And who can forget Christopher Hitchens’ incendiary article, “Why Women Aren’t Funny?,” exploring all the reasons why he claimed we lack a funny bone? While I obviously disagree with most of his claims, I do agree with both Hitchens and my friend that our culture does not encourage women to be funny. Humor is often considered masculine and aggressive, and this is manifested in the disproportionate number of female comedians on TV (especially Latinas). To be funny lady, you must be persistent and not give a flying rat’s butt about these absurd gender norms. You must not care that a joke about your mustache, for example, might make you unattractive to men.

To be Mexican, you must have a good sense of humor about yourself, because our people will not hesitate to tease your physical attributes or flaws. If you’re fat, you can guarantee your family will call you “gordo.” If you’re fat and your best friend is skinny, the two of you together will be called “un diez,” or 10. Here are some other nicknames I’ve heard over the years: “Mal hecho,” “flaco,” “prieta,” “chato,” “pelona,” “chimuela,” “chaparro,” “narizona,” “orejón,” “nalgona,” etc. (all of these make fun of physical characteristics in some way). I personally have been called a few of these things. And did I develop an eating disorder or a complex about my big nose or my “trompa”? No. I developed a sense of humor.

Also, because I was the only girl, I was (and continue to be) teased constantly by my brothers. The only way to survive is to attempt to surpass my brother’s sharp and well-crafted wisecracks. It’s still difficult. Recently, though, I had the opportunity to call one of them Bob Saget as a result of his corny word choice.

Perhaps another reason I know so many funny women is because I tend to gravitate towards women who are as brazen and inappropriate as I am, women who are confident enough to make jokes at their own expense. I don’t care much for propriety, and my friends and I, for example, won’t hesitate to make scatological jokes (to my boyfriend’s chagrin) or cracks (hee hee) about male anatomy and other body parts. Ironic jokes about race are also popular. Almost nothing is off limits.

I know that I joke just to survive. If couldn’t make fun of everything, I would rather just lie down and die. Laughing makes life bearable. That’s why I joke about racism and my perpetual fear of being raped. What else can I do? There are so many other women who do the same. Mexican women in particular have made me laugh so hard I’ve cried and nearly (nervous laugh) peed myself. It’s a shame the rest of the world rarely gets to witness their talent.

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Article on Latinas for Women’s History Month in Ms. Magazine

Posted in nonfiction/articles, tagged , on May 22, 2012 |

Five Fascinating Latinas for Women’s History Month

The Latinas we see on TV and in film too often are relegated to being maids or sexy, voluptuous women. But we are so much more. This Women’s History Month, I want to celebrate just a few of the powerful and inspirational Latinas who defied stereotypes, greatly contributed to history, and personally inspired me.

Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)

Frida Kahlo was one of the most important artists of the 20th century, much more complex than Salma Hayek’s tame and vapid rendition in the movie Frida. (Hayek didn’t even sport Kahlo’s trademark moustache). Kahlo suffered a lifetime of severe health problems–polio, a horrific bus accident, a total of 30 surgeries–but she persevered and brilliantly painted her autobiography. She was openly bisexual, staunchly communist and unashamed, creating hundreds of paintings, drawings and sketches that convey her strength, vulnerability and pain. André Bretondescribed her work as “a ribbon around a bomb.” Her own famous quote: “I was born a bitch. I was born a painter.” Sing it, sister.

Comandanta Ramona (1959-2006)

Ramona, a leading women’s rights activist, was a tiny package of fury and revolution. Though most people associate the image of Subcomandante Marcos with the Zapatista movement, it was actually Comandanta Ramona who led the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) in the 1994 New Year’s Day uprising in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. The Zapatistas revolted in response to Mexico’s involvement in NAFTA, which took effect that day. They demanded land, jobs, housing, food, health care, justice and democracy. When the rebellion ended, Ramonawas sent to the first peace talks with the Mexican government. The media began calling her “The Petite Warrior” and she became so popular that tourist markets frequently sold woolen Ramona dolls. She died at age 47 of kidney failure, a fighter to the end.

Claribel Alegría (1924- )

The poet Claribel Alegría was born in Estelí, Nicaragua, her parents were Nicaraguan and Salvadoran. She grew up in El Salvador, then lived in the United States. She was closely associated with the revolutionary FSLN, theSandinista National Liberation Front of Nicaragua, but has remained committed to nonviolent resistance. In 1978 she was awarded the Casa de las Americas Prize in Havana, and in 2006 she won the Neustadt Prize in Literature. Alegría was part of “la generación comprometida”(the committed generation), a literary movement that occurred during the mid ’50s and early ’60s in Central America, which was created by intellectuals who sought justice for the poor. Alegría’s poetry was clearly political and directed towards women, whom she urged to rebel against patriarchy. Her poem “Ars Poetica” is particularly poignant and hopeful:

I,/  poet by trade,/  condemned so many times/  to be a crow,/  would never change places/  with the Venus de Milo:/  while she reigns in the Louvre/  and dies of boredom/  and collects dust/  I discover the sun/  each morning/  and amid valleys/  volcanoes/  and debris of war/  I catch sight of the promised land.

María Félix (1914-2002)

The Mexican actor María Félix (la Doña) performed during the halcyon days of show business when most body parts were still real. She played only fierce and powerful roles, developing her image as a strong and sexual woman during her 47-film career. She worked with iconic directors such as Luis Buñuel and Jean Renoir, and received numerous awards for her cinematic achievements, including being made a commandeur de l’orde des artes et des lettres. Throughout her career, she refused to work in Hollywood because she would not accept the paltry roles offered to her there, once saying, “I was not born to carry a basket.”

Rosario Castellanos (1925-1974)

Rosario Castellanos was a prolific Mexican writer who wrote novels, essays, poems and a play. Her writings were very political and explored the difficulties of being both Mexican and a woman; her work has been inspiring to many Latina writers and to feminist studies’ scholars. Castellanos says she wrote “so that women would see all of our possibilities in life, to know that we don’t necessarily have to live in ominous spinsterhood, a pressured marriage or mortal solitude.” She saw poetry “as an attempt to reach the root of objects.” Her ambitions were vast, and she showed particular concern for the rights of indigenous peoples. Sadly, she died young, at just 49, but her influence remains indelible.

In a section of her poem “Selection from the Joyful Mysteries,” she wrote:

This place I am, like sand  with rivers,/  has long known visits from the sky./  A whole procession of birds crosses my face/  And I follow ecstatic,/  Not feeling the stones that strike me, break me, reject me./  I walk without measuring my strength or step./  Ah, but I shall reach the sea and the sky will fly beyond my grasp.

Photo of Frida Kahlo from Flickr user OliverAlex under license from  Creative Commons 2.0 Photo of Comandanta Ramona from Flickr user view-askew under license from  Creative Commons 2.0 Photo of Claribel Alegria from Flicker user jorgemejia under license from Creative Commons 2.0 Photo of Maria Felix from Flickr user NMCIL ortiz domney under license from Creative Commons 2.0 Photo of Rosario Castellanos’ tombstone in Mexico City fromWikimedia Commons

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