Celebrating International Women’s Day: Recognizing and Celebrating Mayan Women in the United States
On March 8, commemorating International Women’s Day, a free event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at 4913 S 25th St, Suite 1, Omaha, NE 68107. This event aims to recognize and celebrate the struggles and achievements of Mayan women in the United States and highlight three women in the state of Nebraska for their achievements, contributions, and roles within our community.
In an interview with Mundo Latino, Lola Marina Juan Tomas, Interim Executive Director of the Pixan Ixim Mayan Community, talked about the importance of highlighting in this special event these wonderful women who have faced various obstacles, becoming inspiring examples for many other indigenous women who They come to this country in search of a better future.
“On International Women’s Day, we celebrate and recognize and honor the contributions, struggles, and achievements of women belonging to the Mayan community who reside around the world but also in Nebraska. This celebration aims to highlight the importance of indigenous women in society and promote gender equality and empowerment within our community and beyond. Mayan women in the United States face a number of unique challenges, ranging from language and cultural barriers to discrimination and limited access to resources and opportunities. However, despite these obstacles, Mayan women have demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength, excelling in various fields and playing fundamental roles in their families, communities, and society in general. They have faced unique adversities and have known how to excel, becoming role models for many other women,” said Lola Marina Juan Tomas during the interview.
Candelaria Lorenzo Francisco, Director of the Mayan Education Program, stressed the need to inform and support other Guatemalan women in their native languages. This focus on linguistic inclusion is crucial to ensuring that all women feel represented and supported on their path to empowerment and success.
“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate these contributions, as well as to reflect on the ways in which Maya women can be further supported and empowered in their pursuit of equality and justice. This will be a great opportunity to connect and share experiences between Mayan women and other community members. This celebration also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting the culture, traditions, and ancestral wisdom of the Mayan community in the United States. Recognizing and valuing cultural and ethnic diversity enriches the social fabric and contributes to constructing a more inclusive and equitable society for all,” commented Candelaria.
For his part, Sergio Sosa, Pixan Ixim Mayan community Regional Food Program Manager, emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the programs and resources available to the vast Mayan community in Nebraska. These programs are designed to provide support and opportunities to all members of the community, especially women who face unique challenges in their pursuit of a better life.
“This is a significant occasion to celebrate the legacy and vitality of women and reaffirm the commitment to gender equality, social justice, and respect for cultural diversity in our society. The International Women’s Day event will be an opportunity to come together and celebrate the achievements and strength of women together. As well as recognizing their contributions, a light meal will be served to enjoy as we reflect on the journey towards gender equality and the empowerment of all women, regardless of their background or circumstances.
“We hope this event inspires all women to move forward with determination and pride on their journey towards a better future. Together, we can build a stronger community and a fairer world for everyone,” concluded Lola Marina Juan Tomas.
International Women’s Day is more than an occasion to commemorate; it is a time to reflect on the progress made, recognize the challenges we still face, and renew our commitment to gender equality and inclusion. At this event, let us come together to celebrate women’s power and resilience and inspire each other to continue forward in the fight for a more equitable and just future for all.
