Eufrosina Cruz Mendoza
Early Life and Education
Cruz Mendoza grew up in a Zapotec community where her native language was Zapotec. She learned Spanish at the age of 18, which allowed her to access broader educational opportunities. She moved to the state capital, Oaxaca de Juárez, where she earned a degree in Public Accounting from the Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca. Later, she pursued a master’s degree in Political Science at the Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla.
Political Career and Activism
In 2007, Eufrosina Cruz ran for municipal president of Santa María Quiegolani. Despite winning the election, her victory was annulled by the male-only municipal assembly, citing local “usos y costumbres” (customary practices) that prohibited women from being candidates. This incident propelled Cruz Mendoza to launch a campaign to reform laws that restricted women’s political rights in indigenous communities. Her efforts led to constitutional reforms in Oaxaca, ensuring women’s equal participation in politics.
In 2010, she was elected as a local deputy through proportional representation under the National Action Party (PAN) and became the first indigenous woman to preside over the Congress of the State of Oaxaca. During her tenure, she promoted initiatives to secure women’s full participation in electoral processes and decision-making within their communities.
From 2012 to 2015, Cruz Mendoza served as a federal deputy and chaired the Commission on Indigenous Affairs. She successfully advocated for a constitutional amendment recognizing indigenous women’s right to vote and be elected, reflected in Article 2 of the Constitution.
QUIEGO A.C.
In 2008, she founded the civil association QUIEGO (Queremos Unir Integrando por Equidad y Género en Oaxaca, or “We Want to Unite by Integrating for Equality and Gender in Oaxaca”). This organization focuses on promoting gender equity and the rights of indigenous women. Through QUIEGO, she has worked on projects aimed at empowering women and encouraging their active participation in the political and social life of their communities.
Recognitions and Publications
Eufrosina Cruz has been honored by various institutions. In 2008, she received the National Youth Award in the category of Contribution to Political Culture. In 2012, the documentary “La Revolución de los Alcatraces” (The Revolution of the Calla Lilies) was released, narrating her life and her fight for the rights of indigenous women. In 2022, she published her autobiography titled “Los sueños de la niña de la montaña” (The Dreams of the Mountain Girl), where she recounts her journey from childhood in an indigenous community to her involvement in national politics.
Legacy and Present
Eufrosina Cruz Mendoza’s work has been instrumental in raising awareness and combating gender discrimination in Mexico’s indigenous communities. Her perseverance has paved the way for more indigenous women to participate in the political and social life of the country, promoting a more equitable and just society.