Research and Community Projects
Women As Social Warriors I
In November of 2002, Comercio Justo (CJ), a UCSC student organization focused on Fair Trade, partnered with the Mexico Solidarity Network, a transnational Non-Governmental
Organization (NGO) based in Washington D.C., to host two indigenous women, Marla Gutierrez Gutierrez and Celerina Ruiz Nuñez from K'inal Antzetik in Chiapas, Mexico. The organizations assembled a speaking tour throughout California for these women to talk about their struggle against globalization and their experience organizing fair trade cooperatives.
This was a cultural event emphasizing social alternatives: in addition to the women from Chiapas, the Latin American Music Ensemble played indigenous tunes, professional indigenous photographers introduced their work, and local fair trade vendors sold socially responsible crafts. Fair trade and homemade food was plentiful as was fair trade coffee. Spanish-English translation was provided throughout the entirety of the event.
In putting together this event, Comercio Justo made connections with professors in the Women's Studies, Environmental Studies, LALS, and Sociology Departments who helped to promote the event and attract a large crowd. The women also spoke to classes and took part in a discussion held by the Chicano/Latino Research Center. CJ also formed alliances with other active campus groups and community organizations, such as the Student Environmental Center and the Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos.
In September of 2003 UCSC student organizer, Sara Emery, spends a 10 week internship with Jolom Maya’etik in Chiapas doing support work and technology education, working with women to outreach to universities in the U.S.
Response to the event was so powerful as to inspire a second year of organizing--Women As Social Warriors II!
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