In The Community
Comandanta Ramona
Photo by bastian (Heriberto Rodriguez) on Wikimedia Commons
Comandanta Ramona, born in 1959 in a Tzotzil Maya community in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, was a founding member of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), based in the same region. She served as a spokesperson for the group and came to represent the Indigenous resistance movement.
But Ramona's impact extended far beyond her leadership role within the EZLN. As a woman in a male-dominated organization, she challenged gender norms and fought tirelessly for gender equality. She spoke out against gender-based violence and worked to empower women in Indigenous communities, advocating for their participation in decision-making processes and establishing women's cooperatives.
Ramona's contributions to the Zapatista movement were groundbreaking. She helped establish the Revolutionary Law of Women, recognizing women's contributions to the struggle for Indigenous rights and granting them equal rights. She paved the way for women's leadership within the movement through her efforts.
Ramona's legacy as a feminist and Indigenous leader continues to inspire activists and social justice movements worldwide. Although she passed away in 2006 after battling cancer, her spirit lives on in the struggle against oppression, injustice, and discrimination.Rigoberta Menchú
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Photo by Carlos Rodriguez on Wikimedia Commons
Rigoberta Menchú, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and K'iche' Maya woman from Guatemala, has dedicated her life to advocating for women's and Indigenous rights. Growing up in a family of Indigenous peasants, Menchú experienced firsthand the discrimination and poverty that Indigenous communities face.
Menchú became involved in social justice movements at a young age and joined the Committee of Peasant Unity. This group fought for land rights and the empowerment of Indigenous communities. During Guatemala's civil war, she spoke out against government-sanctioned violence and human rights abuses, becoming a prominent voice for Indigenous women's rights.
Menchú's groundbreaking book "I, Rigoberta Menchú," published in 1983, chronicled her experiences growing up as an Indigenous woman in Guatemala and the struggles faced by her community. The book became an international bestseller, spotlighting Indigenous issues and women's rights in Latin America.
Menchú's advocacy and activism earned her numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992. But her work is far from over. She continues to fight for the rights of Indigenous people and women, advocating for issues such as access to healthcare and education, and raising awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault.Lolita Chávez Ixcaquic
Photo by Paula López Reig on Wikimedia Commons
Lolita Chávez Ixcaquic, a K'iche' Maya woman from Guatemala, is a prominent voice in the global fight for environmental and Indigenous rights, defending their land and natural resources against exploitation and destruction.
But her activism has not come without challenges. As a woman in a patriarchal society, Chávez Ixcaquic has faced discrimination, violence, and even death threats for her tireless efforts to promote justice and equality.
But despite these challenges, she has worked to raise awareness about Indigenous women's obstacles, including gender-based violence, discrimination, and lack of access to healthcare and education. She was a finalist for the prestigious Sakharov Human Rights Prize and was awarded the Romero Human Rights Award for her environmental and Indigenous rights activism.
Chávez Ixcaquic's leadership has been crucial in promoting greater participation of women in decision-making processes and leadership positions within Indigenous communities. She has served as a mentor and role model for young Indigenous women, inspiring them to become activists and advocates for their communities.
Guadalupe Vázquez Luna
Photo by koman ilel on Wikimedia Commons
Guadalupe Vázquez Luna is a Mexican activist, artisan, and councilwoman who represents the Tzotzil people in the National Indigenous Congress and is a survivor of the Acteal massacre.
Despite the devastating impact of losing her parents and five siblings in the Acteal massacre, Guadalupe persevered with tenacity and determination. Despite the rampant machismo in her community trying to hold her back, she completed her elementary and secondary education.
Her activism aims to achieve justice for her people, fight against so-called "death projects," and bring attention to the region's problems. On International Women's Day 2018, Vázquez Luna led a group of women from Las Abejas in a protest against the military presence in their communities. She confronted soldiers at the military barracks in Majomut, Chenalho, with a powerful message of unity and respect.
Vázquez Luna's story and that of Las Abejas de Acteal are told in the documentary "Lupita. Que retiemble la tierra," directed by Mónica Wise and Eduardo Gutiérrez Wise in 2019, provides insight into different facets of her life, such as being a mother, a fearless activist, an orator, and a leader.
Berta Cáceres
Photo by UN Environment on Wikimedia Commons
Berta Cáceres was a Honduran environmental and Indigenous rights activist who fought for the rights of women and Indigenous communities in Honduras.
As a member of the Lenca Indigenous community, Cáceres was a prominent leader in the struggle against large-scale development projects that threatened Indigenous lands and resources. She founded the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), a grassroots organization that advocated for Indigenous rights and environmental justice.
She advocated for the inclusion of women in leadership positions within Indigenous communities and called for greater participation of women in decision-making processes. Cáceres also supported the creation of women's cooperatives and other initiatives to empower women and promote economic development in Indigenous communities.
In 2016, unknown gunmen assassinated Cáceres in her home, sparking international outrage. Her death was widely seen as a result of her activism and the threats she faced for her work defending Indigenous and environmental rights.
Despite her tragic death, Cáceres continues to inspire activists and Indigenous communities worldwide to fight for justice, equality, and the protection of their lands and resources.
Leydy Pech
An Indigenous Mayan beekeeper born and raised in the city of Hopelchén in Campeche, Mexico, Leydy Pech has become a leading voice in the global fight for environmental and Indigenous rights. Her tireless advocacy has brought much-needed attention to the importance of protecting the environment and the rights of Indigenous communities, especially women.
Pech led a coalition that successfully stopped Monsanto, an American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology company, from planting genetically modified (GM) soybeans in southern Mexico. In November 2015, Mexico's Supreme Court ruled that the government violated the constitutional rights of the Mayan people by not consulting them, canceling Monsanto's permits, and stopping GM soybean planting in Campeche and Yucatán.
Thanks to Pech’s organizing, in 2017, Mexico’s Food and Agricultural Service revoked Monsanto’s permit in seven states, marking a historic move by the government to protect indigenous communities and the environment from GM crops. Pech's leadership has been instrumental in promoting the rights of Indigenous communities to control their own resources and determine their own development. She has been a fierce opponent of large-scale agro-industrial projects that threaten Indigenous lands and resources, such as the use of genetically modified crops.
But Pech's activism goes beyond environmental concerns. She has also been a vocal advocate for women's rights within Indigenous communities, raising awareness about the challenges faced by Indigenous women, including gender-based violence and discrimination. As a beekeeper, Pech has also strongly advocated for the conservation of bees and other pollinators, which play a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity and agriculture.
The work of these six Latin American Indigenous women activists highlights the ongoing struggles and achievements of their communities, and their stories are a reminder of the power of grassroots activism and the importance of continuing to support efforts that uplift marginalized voices.
Over the past few decades, income and wealth inequality has steadily and markedly increased since the 1980s. This also coincides with what many argue are the disastrous results of President Reagan’s “trickle-down economics,” an economic theory that if wealth and income were given to the “job producers,” they would then pass it on in the form of increased wages and more jobs to everyone else.
No such thing materialized.
Instead, according to Statista, 66.9% of the U.S. total wealth is now owned by the top 10% of earners as of the third quarter of 2023. The lowest 50% of earners own only 2.5% of the U.S. total wealth. This wealth gap disproportionately impacts the Latino community, where many work in undervalued and underpaid jobs, contributing to the cycle of economic inequality that continues to widen.
The devaluation of labor, particularly in roles essential to our society, is a direct result of late-stage capitalism. It comes down to the power dynamics of our economic system, which thrives on the exploitation of essential workers while diminishing their worth.
The fact is that the world would come to a screeching stop if people with thankless jobs all collectively decided to stop working. This was made clear during the pandemic when healthcare workers and others in essential roles were finally recognized for their indispensable contributions. But now, as the pandemic fades into memory, the appreciation fades with it, and these workers have once again been pushed to the margins.
These are the jobs that are often overlooked, undervalued, and yet are essential to our daily lives and in many cases, overrepresented with Latino workers:
Housekeepers and General Cleaning Staff
Photo by CDC
Housekeepers and general cleaning staff are unsung heroes who ensure that our homes, offices, and public spaces remain clean and hygienic. Their work goes far beyond just tidying up; they maintain environments that are safe and healthy for everyone. They wipe, sweep, dust, and sanitize every corner, often dealing with tasks that others would rather avoid, such as cleaning up after accidents or handling hazardous materials, often with little to no hazardous waste training
This profession is heavily represented by Latinos, with 51.9% of maids and housekeeping cleaners and 35.1% of janitors and building cleaners being Latino in 2023 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite how vital their work is, cleaning staff is consistently overlooked and underappreciated.
It’s easy to overlook the person cleaning a room or mopping a floor, but without their efforts, our daily environments would be far less safe and comfortable.
Childcare Workers
Photo by Edward Eyer
Childcare workers take on the important responsibility of caring for children while parents are at work. These workers provide not only basic care but also emotional support, education, and a sense of security to young minds. Despite the huge responsibility they carry, childcare workers are some of the lowest-paid individuals in the workforce, earning little more than fast-food workers in many cases.
Across all occupations, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) workers only made about 40% of what the average worker earned in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Once again, Latinos represent 25.9% of childcare workers in the U.S., which is quite a big chunk. Society places a high value on children, but this value is not reflected in the way we treat those who care for them.
If we truly value our children’s well-being and future, logic would follow that society would also value the people who provide their daily care and support. That isn’t the case here.
Teachers
Photo by National Cancer Institute
That brings us to teachers, who are very much the architects of our future because they help shape the minds of the next generation. They invest countless hours in lesson planning, grading, and mentoring students, all while often facing inadequate pay, limited resources, and increasing demands. Teachers aren’t just educators; they’re role models, counselors, and guides who help students navigate the complexities of life.
In Latino communities, teachers often go above and beyond, providing not just education but also serving as advocates and support systems for students facing systemic inequities. Yet, despite their crucial role, teachers frequently find themselves underpaid, overworked and undervalued.
The reality is that without teachers, there would be no doctors, engineers, or leaders of tomorrow.
Farm Workers
Photo by Mark Stebnicki
It’s often forgotten, but farm workers are the backbone of our food supply chain, working tirelessly to ensure that fresh produce reaches our tables. They labor in fields under harsh conditions, often for long hours and minimal pay. This is another thankless job where Latinos make up a big chunk of the demographic. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 54% of farm laborers, graders, and sorters were Latino in 2021.
Without farm workers, the entire agricultural industry—and by extension, the food supply—would collapse. Despite this fact, they’re also often underpaid and face a lot of different challenges, including exposure to pesticides, harsh weather conditions, and lack of access to basic necessities like clean water and rest facilities. Their work is physically demanding and often dangerous, and they’re still overlooked and underappreciated.
Food Workers
Photo by Viridiana Rivera
They prepare meals in restaurants, work in fast food chains, serve food in cafeterias, restaurants, etc., and work behind the scenes in food production. Food workers are essential to us, yet those kinds of jobs are often taken for granted and even looked down on. But it isn’t an easy job; food workers often work long hours for low pay, and have to withstand poor working conditions.
Food workers, many of whom are Latino (29.8% in food preparation and serving-related jobs), ensure that people are fed, yet they are often mistreated and undervalued. The hard work and dedication of food workers are often invisible to the people who enjoy the meals they either make or serve.
Caregivers and Home Healthcare Workers
Photo by Matthias Zomer
Caregivers and home healthcare workers provide essential care to some of the most vulnerable members of society—elderly, disabled, or chronically ill people. These workers, many of whom are Latino, offer both physical care and emotional support to people in need.
Their work is demanding, both physically and emotionally, but they’re often underpaid and undervalued. Despite how critical caregivers and home healthcare workers are, they don’t get nearly enough flowers. The demand for their services has only increased since the pandemic, but they’re not nearly as appreciated as they should be.
As you head out for that long Labor Day weekend, recognition of the essential workers who keep our world running, often without thanks or fair compensation will go a long way in fixing the foundations of what is currently not an equitable or merit-based society. Their labor isn’t meaningless—it’s the very foundation of our society.
