Important

women in
Guatemala

Maryolin Walescka Ajvix Cosojay

4to Secretariado
 ÍNDICE
Rigoberta Menchu
3

Rosalina Tuyuc
4

Clara Porras de Bonilla

5

Rafaela Contreras
6

Helen Mack 7

Myrna Mack
8

Adela Camacho
9

Gloria Alvarez
10
 Rigobert
a Menchú
Rigoberta Menchú is a Guatemalan
indigenous activist born on January 9, 1959 in
the department of Quiché, Guatemala. She is
recognized internationally for her tireless fight
in defense of human rights, especially of
indigenous peoples.
Menchú grew up in a peasant family and
witnessed the injustices and discrimination
suffered by indigenous people in Guatemala.
Following the murder of her father, a
community leader and activist, and her
brother, at the hands of the Guatemalan army,
she joined the fight for justice and equality.

In 1983, Menchú published her

autobiography titled "My name is Rigoberta
Menchú and that's how my conscience was
born", where she recounts her childhood,
her experience as an indigenous woman,
and her activism in defense of human rights.
This book catapulted her to international
fame and earned her the recognition of the
Nobel Peace Prize in 1992, thus becoming
the first indigenous woman to receive this
prestigious award.
Over the years, Rigoberta Menchú has
continued her work defending indigenous
rights, social justice and peace in Guatemala
and around the world. Her work has been
fundamental to make visible the problems
faced by indigenous peoples and to promote
intercultural dialogue and reconciliation in
her country.1
3
 Rosalina
Tuyuc
Rosalina Tuyuc is a prominent
Guatemalan indigenous activist and leader,
born on May 23, 1956 in the department of
Sololá, Guatemala. She is known for her
tireless fight in defense of the rights of
indigenous women and for her
commitment to social justice and peace in
Guatemala.
Tuyuc founded the organization
CONAVIGUA (National Coordinator of
Guatemalan Widows) in 1988, in response
to the violence and repression that
especially affected indigenous women
during the internal armed conflict in
Guatemala. CONAVIGUA became a
platform for indigenous women to
organize, empower themselves, and
demand justice for the human rights
violations suffered by them and their
communities.

In addition to her work with CONAVIGUA, Rosalina Tuyuc has held various
public positions and has been recognized with several awards and distinctions
for her work in defense of human rights and peace in Guatemala. Her legacy
as an advocate for indigenous women's rights and her commitment to justice
and reconciliation continue to inspire generations of activists in Guatemala
and around the world.

4
 Clara Porras
de Bonilla
Clara Porras de Bonilla was a
prominent Guatemalan educator and
activist, known for her dedication to
promoting the education of
indigenous women and children in
Guatemala.
Born in the department of
Totonicapán in 1893, Clara Porras de
Bonilla became a key figure in the
Guatemalan educational field during
the 20th century. She advocated for
inclusive, quality education for all
sectors of the population, particularly
for indigenous women and children,
who had historically faced barriers to
accessing formal education.

In addition to her work as an

educator, Clara Porras de Bonilla
was also an activist committed to
gender equality and human rights.
She advocated for the recognition of
women's rights, including their right to
education, political participation, and
equal opportunities in Guatemalan
5
society.
 Rafaela
Contreras

Rafaela Contreras was a leading figure during the period of Guatemala and
Central America's independence from Spanish rule in the 19th century. She
is often remembered as "The Mother of the Country" due to her role in the
fight for freedom and independence.
Although specific details about her life may vary depending on historical
sources, it is recognized that Contreras was a brave leader committed to the
independence cause. She actively participated in revolutionary movements
and in organizing resistance against Spanish rule in Guatemala.

Although a detailed biography is not available about her, her legacy has been
preserved through oral tradition and national historiography. Her contribution to
Guatemala's independence is a testament to her courage and dedication to the
patriotic cause.

6
 Helen Mack

Helen Mack Chang is a prominent Guatemalan human rights activist. She

is known for her tireless work defending people's rights, especially on
issues such as justice and transparency. Her fight has focused on seeking
justice for her sister, Myrna Mack, an anthropologist murdered in 1990 by
Guatemalan military forces due to her work documenting human rights
abuses in Guatemala. Helen Mack has been an influential voice in the
fight for justice and accountability in her country.

7
Myrna Mack
Myrna Mack Chang was a
Guatemalan anthropologist
known for her courageous
work documenting human
rights abuses in Guatemala.
He carried out research on the
situation of indigenous
communities and the effects
of the civil war in his country.
Tragically, she was murdered
in 1990 by Guatemalan
military forces due to her
work investigating and
reporting human rights
violations. His sister, Helen
Mack Chang, has continued
his legacy by becoming a
prominent human rights
activist in Guatemala.

8
 Adela
Camacho
Adela Camacho Torrebiarte was a
Guatemalan educator and
philanthropist who played a
fundamental role in the field of
education, especially in promoting 5
education for women in Guatemala in
the late 19th century and early 20th
century. .

She founded the Escuela Normal

para Señoritas in 1886, one of the
first educational institutions
dedicated exclusively to the training
of women in Guatemala. Her work
helped open educational
opportunities for women at a time
when access to education was
limited for them. Her legacy
continues to be recognized in
Guatemala as a milestone in the fight
for gender equality and access to
education
1
9
 Gloria Alvarez

Gloria Álvarez is a prominent Guatemalan

political commentator, writer and activist.
She is known for her fervent defense of
the principles of individual freedom,
democracy and market economy in
Guatemala and Latin America in general.
He has played an important role in
promoting liberal ideas through his
speeches, political analysis and
participation in public debates. Álvarez
has also written books and articles on
political and social issues, and has been an
influential figure in the Guatemalan
political scene for his commitment to
promoting freedom and democracy.

10
 "Women's empowerment begins with
the recognition of their own worth and
an unwavering belief in their ability to
change the world. Nothing can stop a
woman determined to achieve her
dreams!"