Sometimes forging a path forward means confronting your past. Two female artisans from Chiapas, Mexico weave their futures from the threads of history.
Angelina Gomez (pictured left) and Luz Gonzales (pictured center) were both young girls when they embarked on their journeys of independence. Paths that would ultimately circle around, reuniting them with their cultural heritage, only this time, equipped with new perspectives and new tools.
Angelina says, "I was only 12 years old when I left my home in Larrainzar, Chiapas, because that’s when girls were traditionally married off without being asked." A fate she was intent on avoiding. Yet even as she set her own course in life, she remained rooted in the deep traditions of her female ancestors. "My aunt and my grandmother taught me everything I know about weaving, and I want my daughter to learn, too. I want to be the one who teaches her."
Like Angelina, Luz Gonzalez charted her own course — from a small town in Chiapas into the vibrant world of textiles. "I was born in the highlands where I grew up surrounded by spools of thread and the colorful customs of my community. Zinacantan is a town that preserves our traditions through weaving and embroidery, thanks to the handmade techniques of the Maya women here."
Luz also knew she needed to leave home to create her own life. "With my mother’s help, I was able to go to a school outside our community, working toward my dreams of a different path." She began to study fashion design, then took a huge risk by setting up her own workshop. It was challenging, she explains. "I wasn’t sure what would happen when I tried something that very few in my community achieve — breaking away from the traditional role of women, choosing my own future. I decided to hire other women and inspire them to dream."
The road has not been easy. With the pandemic, these incredible women have had to adapt to challenging circumstances. Angelina wakes up at 5 a.m. to begin a day that includes childcare, practicing her art, and now selling fruits and vegetables to earn enough to put food on the table. Luz, too, works hard to support her family — and the families of the five women who work with her.
When asked about their decisions to embark on this journey, neither hesitates. "Women are strong, and we’ve become even stronger," Angelina says. Luz adds, "I want my daughter to learn that she can decide what she wants to do with her life and show her how to make her own decisions." |
