Mexican Women Badassery
Today, being Mexican Independence Day*, I wanted to reflect on the badassery of Mexican women. This is a legacy that, as an El Paso woman, has shaped the way I think about women’s roles in society, and the impact they can make. These two women are brave, smart, and independent thinking –who shaped the way we see ourselves.
I am starting off with Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz because she was the first historical bad ass woman that I was exposed to as a child. Growing up we learned about her struggle for education. She was born out of wedlock in 1651 and raised primarily by her mother. De la Cruz even tried to dress as a young boy (Yentl style), in order to further her studies, but it did not work. She was sent to live with her relatives at a young age. It was then that she learned Latin and several indigenous languages. Later, in her teens she was presented at Court winning instant favor. However, she knew that she did not want to marry so she joined a convent at the age of 19. She left that convent as a postulate, becoming a nun at a different convent which was more open to her educational ideals. Sor Juana was my idol as a child, her pursuit of education and knowledge always inspired me to do more.
Next is probably one of the most famous Mexican artists in history: Frida Kahlo. Her story was always of inspiration due to her strength and fearlessness. She suffered a horrific life-altering bus accident at 18. Kahlo managed to recover physically and not only paint, but become a cultural icon. Her life was riddled with pain and a tumultuous relationship with her husband, and her art was a reflection of this. Self-portraits were important to her, she felt that she should paint who she knew best, and that was herself. She painted about taboo and painful subjects, such as her miscarriages. She was a role model to me much later in life. I was in high school in El Paso when I first saw her work. I was in awe, I saw her fearlessness and strived for it.
As a Mexican, and now, Mexican-American woman, seeing the badassery of these two historic figures inspires me every day to be more independent. Although, the state of Mexico’s politics leaves little to celebrate this 16th of September, I choose to celebrate these women and their accomplishments.
* I know Mexican Independence day is September 16th, but the declaration (El Grito) happens on the 15th.
