Eufrosina Cruz

"You have to sieze the opportunities that come your way, but it's your decision, no one else is going to make those decisions for you."

Eufrosina started questioning the world around her at twelve years old, thanks to a teacher who walked ten hours to get to her village, carrying newspapers and sharing knowledge that hadn’t been within the reach of her community there. That’s when she decided to rebel against inequality and indifference.

Eufrosina was elected Municipal President of Santa María Quiegolani, Oaxaca in 2007 but was ultimately denied the role, as women didn’t have the right to be voted into office according to local traditional law.

In 2010, she was elected Regional Deputy and became the first indigenous woman to chair the State Congress of Oaxaca. Today, she is considered one of the most influential defenders of gender equality and the rights of indigenous women and communities in Mexico.

Vogue Interview