Heroinas Quintanarroenses
This Women’s History Month, the Na’atik team talked about their heroines and the women who have had a lasting impact on Quintana Roo and the Mexican nation as a whole. Today we want to highlight four of the most famous female historical figures who are associated with the region. While these four stand out, they do so from a crowd of amazing women whose achievements each deserve celebration. We hope to have the opportunity to feature many more of them in future blogs.
Luz María Zaleta de Elsner (1922 - Present)
Despite originally being from Tuxpan, Veracruz, Luz Maria Zaleta de Elsner (sometimes known as Luz Maria Zaleta Islas) became a key figure in the educational development and the politics of Quintana Roo and the Yucatán Peninsula in general. Having trained to become a teacher in Mexico City, she began teaching in schools in what is now Quintana Roo and quickly became noted for her enthusiasm and passion.
In the mid 1940s, she founded one of the first Jardines de Niños, or kindergartens, in the now state capital, Chetumal. She was viewed as a pioneer of education methodology for young students, promoting the use of the teacher's artistic and musical skills as a didactic tool in the classroom. She was able to carry this philosophy beyond her first school as she became the supervisor for schools in Quintana Roo, Campeche and Tabasco starting in 1956. She also brought about the opening of schools in many less well-served communities across the region.
Following her success as an educator and administrator, she then became a Federal Deputy, representing Quintana Roo and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) on the national political stage. In September of 1966, she became the first-ever woman to hold the role of President of the Chamber of Deputies, a significant moment for female political representation in the Mexican political system.
After serving one term in Mexico City, she returned to Quintana Roo to help coordinate the state’s educational system and to teach in the classroom again. She retired in 1976. Since then she has received numerous accolades including the Medal of Merit in 1993 from the municipality of Othón P. Blanco which includes the city of Chetumal, Quintana Roo. Many schools in the region carry her name, and she remains synonymous with the Jardines de Niños whose development she spearheaded.
Last year she celebrated her 100th birthday.
María Uicab (Unknown - Circa 1875)
One of the region’s most famous female historical figures, María Uicab, was known as the Patron Saint or Queen of Tulum, and was a key figure in the latter period of the Guerra de Castas, or Caste War, which saw the formation and independence, and subsequent reintegration, of an independant Maya nation on the Yucatán Peninsula.
She rose to prominence as a priestess in the Cruzoob, or talking cross, religious movement which was at the center of Maya independence efforts. While women did have a role to play in the Cruzoob religious order, María Uicab stands out as being the only female figure to gain significant religious and political power in her own right. Historians have highlighted that, unusually, each of her three husbands seems to have gained status and power from their marriages, rather than the inverse, which was the norm at the time.
She was known for being both charismatic and adept at convincing others of her point of view. She took on the role of interpreting the messages from the Cruzoob’s triumvirate of talking crosses. She is associated primarily with the town of Tulum which had succeeded the capital Chan Santa Cruz (modern day Felipe Carrillo Puerto) as the religious epicenter of the Maya nation. There are conflicting historical records about the distribution of Talking Crosses in the region, with some holding that only those in Chan Santa Cruz were genuine, and that others were simply facsimiles used by competing factions for control of the Maya nation and its religious underpinnings. It does seem clear, however, that she used this position of power to influence both the running of the religious order and even the conduct of the ongoing conflict with Mexico.
While known for her connection to Tulum, it appears she actually lived in Muyil, and traveled to Tulum for religious ceremonies and to interpret the words of the crosses. Her name disappears from historical documents around 1875, which suggests that she either died or fell from political power at this time. With the patchy records of the era, and due to the regular internecine political conflict with leaders often exiled or even assassinated, it is impossible for historians to tell what befell María Uicab. She has however remained one of the most recognized names of the conflict for subsequent Maya generations.
Leona Vicario (1789 -1842)
Leona Vicario is one of Mexico’s most celebrated heroines, and remains the only woman ever to have been given the honor of a state funeral. She was a key figure in the nation’s fight for independence against their Spanish imperial masters.
Born into a wealthy family, Leona Vicario received a good education, supported by her beloved uncle, who helped her broaden her education beyond the subjects to which women of the time were normally restricted. She was fluent in several languages and was well versed in literature and philosophy.
Following the beginning of the war for independence, she, along with her husband, became part of the influential group of pro-independence figures known as Los Guadalupes. She used her financial resources to support the efforts of other patriots, and was reputed to have sold her own jewelry to raise funds to send to those in need. She also took on personal risk, acting as a messenger and spy for the independence movement during the conflict. She also allowed her home to be used as an organizational and communications hub. After being captured and confined, she refused to share the names of her co-conspirators and remained steadfast in her passionate patriotism.
She was also a persuasive writer, and wrote in many publications to extol the virtue of Mexican independence, both at home and abroad. One of the phrases she is most famous for was:
“Soy Leona y quiero vivir libre como una fiera.”
“My name is Leona, and I want to live freely like a wild animal.”
After Mexican independence was gained, she was viewed as one of the new nation’s founders, and was described as the “Meritorious and Sweet Mother of the Nation”. She is remembered in literature, song and on independence monuments all over the country.
While not from the region, she is linked to Quintana Roo due to her marriage to Andrés Eligio Quintana Roo, for whom the state was named. Her names are embossed in gold on the state legislature and statues of her can be found in many towns. Likewise many public buildings and even a town in the state are named in honor.
María Cristina Sangri Aguilar (1941-2022)
María Cristina Sangri Aguilar was a trailblazer for women’s rights and political representation in Quintana Roo, and achieved political success as a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) at local and national levels.
She was born in Chetumal, Quintana Roo in 1941. She studied in both Mexico City and in Belize City in what was then known as British Honduras. Having served as a deputy in the local legislature from 1975 to 1978, she became the first woman in the history of Quintana Roo to become a municipal president when, in 1984, she was elected to lead Orthón P. Blanco, the sub-division which has its municipal seat as the state capital of Chetumal.
She went on to represent Quintana Roo at a national level, first serving as a deputy in the lower house of Mexico’s bicameral legislature between 1985 and 1988, before then becoming a senator in the upper house for one term between 1988 and 1991.
Upon returning to Quintana Roo she held several senior positions in state government and organizations, including director of the Quintana Roo Institute for Women. She also remained an influential figure in her political party until her retirement. She is remembered both as an example of, and a passionate voice demanding, representation for women in both Quintana Roo and Mexico.
The Na’atik Team
Here at Na’atik we have an incredible team of women, who work together to ensure we can provide the best possible opportunities for our local students and amazing experiences for our foreign visitors. Despite hailing from different backgrounds and even different countries, we are all united in celebrating not only the achievements of women that came before us, but also in celebrating our own achievements, both as individuals and as a team. Together we can make things even better for the next generation.
The Na’atik monthly newsletter contains articles about Mexican history, culture, language and cuisine as well as the latest news from our non-profit school, which provides educational opportunities to Indigenous Maya students. To be the first to hear about new articles sign up to the newsletter below (don’t worry we won't add you to any marketing lists). If there are any subjects you would love to read about, or perhaps another woman you feel we should have featured this month, let us know at communications@naatikmexico.org.
The best way to experience Mexican culture is by spending time with local families away from tourist resorts. Na’atik offers a unique nonprofit language immersion program, where your Spanish or Maya lessons are augmented by a homestay experience in the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Sharing meals and spare time with local and Indigenous people makes this a not to be missed opportunity to see the authentic Mexico. Every visit helps us to provide life changing educational opportunities to local children. Visit our immersion page or contact us on say@naatikmexico.org to find out more.