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Photo: Gobierno de Guatemala/Flickr/Public Domain By Laysha Macedo March 26, 2025 – 09:00 This Women’s History Month we want to recognize those whose contributions—often without deserved recognition—have made an impact for others. From trailblazers like Mexican artist Frida Kahlo or Latinas in entertainment like the iconic Puerto Rican actress Rita Moreno , we are highlighting Latinas and Indigenous women from Latin America who’ve left their mark on the world’s transcending industries. K’iche’ Maya activist Rigoberta Menchú has been a lifelong advocate for Indigenous communities in Guatemala and is known around the world for her work fighting for Indigenous rights. Read along to learn more about the activist, feminist and history-making Nobel Peace Prize laureate this Women’s History Month. Early Life Rigoberta Menchú was born on January 9, 1959, in Chimel, a village in the Quiché province, the mountainous northwest region of Guatemala in the Indigenous K’iche’ community. She grew up in a rural area where she often helped with the family farm work in the northern highlands and on the Pacific Coast where people would pick coffee on plantations. She was raised in a traditional K’iche’ community that practiced customs passed down through generations. Her father was a prominent leader in her community and was part of El Comite de Unidad Campesina —a labor organization—which she later joined in 1979. Her father joined during a time following a period of imprisonment and torture he faced after being accused of taking part in the execution of a local plantation owner. At an early age, she experienced firsthand the oppressive conditions that Indigenous people faced under Guatemala’s military, including poverty, exploitation, and violence as well the discrimination Indigenous people faced. Activism and Exile Stay connected! Subscribe now and get the latest on culture, empowerment, and more. SIGN ME UP! Este sitio está protegido por reCAPTCHA y Google Política de privacidad y Se aplican las Condiciones de servicio . Thank You! You are already subscribed to our newsletter After joining the labor group, Menchú witnessed the brutality of the Guatemalan Civil War (1960-1996) in her community and within her own family. Between 1979 and 1984 Menchú lost multiple family members. In 1979, her brother, Patrocino, was kidnapped, tortured, and killed by the Guatemalan army. In 1980, her father was also killed after security forces stormed the Spanish Embassy that he and other peasants were staying in in 1980. Her mother then was abducted, raped, tortured, and murdered, and her sister-in-law was decapitated. In 1984, her brother Victor was shot after surrendering to the military. The war’s disproportionate effect on Indigenous communities and her family inspired Menchú’s activism to bring attention to the oppression and violence faced by Guatemala’s Indigenous peoples. She became even more active in El Comite and taught herself multiple Mayan languages and Spanish. As a result of her family being targeted by the military and her joining the 31st January Popular Front, a radical anti-government activist group—she fled to Mexico after going into hiding in Guatemala . During her exile, she entered a new period of her activism as she fought for the rights of Indigenous communities and combatted oppression in Guatemala while abroad. Menchú, who remained in exile for 10 years, continued her activism work, founding the United Representation of the Guatemalan Opposition (RUOG) and speaking of the experiences of her people throughout the Americas and the United Nations. In 1982, she shared her experience in the documentary Where the Mountains Tremble. Activism & Global Recognition Menchú soon met Venezuelan anthropologist Elisabeth Burgos-Debray with whom she shared her life story through a series of interviews in Spanish. From hours of recorded material, she then published the memoir she co-wrote with Burgos-Debray, I, Rigoberta Menchú: An Indian Woman in Guatemala (1983). The book details the realities of her community, the conditions of indigenous people in Guatemala, and her remarkable life story. Since its publishing, it has gained international recognition and been translated into 20 languages—sharing with people around the world the atrocities of the Guatemalan Civil War. Her book has become one of the most widely known books giving the world an account of the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Latin America and the oppression they face. While in exile in 1986, Menchú became a leading member of El Comite de Unidad Campesina like her father. It was just ten years later that a peace agreement came between the Guatemalan army and guerrilla groups, officially ending the civil war after 36 years. Awards and Legacy Menchú’s dedication to her community through the decades has earned her worldwide recognition. In 1992, she made history when she received the Nobel Peace Prize becoming the first recipient from Latin America and first Indigenous person to do so, as well as the youngest, at the time, at just 33 years old. When accepting the coveted award, she paid homage to her Indigenous community: “I consider this prize, not as an award to me personally, but rather as one of the greatest conquests in the struggle for peace, for human rights and for the rights of the indigenous people who, along all these 500 years, have been split, fragmented, as well as the victims of genocide, repression and discrimination.” In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, Menchú has also been named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and received the Courage of Conscience Award. Time and time again, she has been celebrated for her commitment to human rights and she is honored for being outspoken for her community. In this Article activist guatemala guatemalan people indigenous K’iche’ Rigoberta Menchu Women’s History Month More on this topic Culture First Gen Latinas Battling the Crabs in a Bucket Mentality March 27, 2025 – 09:55 Culture 15 Latinas Throughout History We Should Know About March 25, 2025 – 07:00 Culture Latinas & the Emotional Labor of Being the First to Heal March 19, 2025 – 10:06 Culture 16 Latinx Children’s Books Coming in 2025 March 14, 2025 – 17:00 Pesto de Cilantro Deliciosa receta de salsa pesto a base de cilantro. 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