In a Country Where Women Were Often Ignored, San Miguel de Allende Emerged as One of The First Places That Allowed Women to Pursue Their Dreams
By the time you get to town, you’re going to realize that this is a rather special place. San Miguel de Allende began as a sanctuary for Mexican women: they could find opportunity and independence here in ways they couldn’t elsewhere. The earliest women to arrive here in the 1600s were nuns, who established themselves as influential figures in the community through the maintenance of a school and hospital. Their hospital attracted General Allende’s attention, drawing him over from San Luis Potosi. Today San Miguel is still one of Mexico’s centers for female empowerment. You’ll find an abundance of female entrepreneurs running businesses like restaurants, shops, and hotels or teaching yoga.The Nuns at The Elite all Female School Colegio Santa Maria de El Pilar focused on The Practical
The nuns at the elite all-female school Colegio Santa Maria de El Pilar focused on the practical: they taught their students how to sew, cook, and clean. But they also taught them how to think, speak and write. They taught them how to be independent, to be leaders, and take up space. They taught them how to be women. In the classroom, “the teachers were always telling us about politics and art,” says Laura Zambrano, a veterinarian who graduated from the school in 1984. She recently became a member of its board of directors a the position she attained without needing anyone’s permission or approval despite being married with three kids and a full-time job.Women Who Worked at The School Grew up to Become Leaders in Government, Business, and The Arts
Women who attended the school grew up to become influential leaders in government, business, and the arts. Those women say that teachers at the school encouraged them to pursue their dreams. Today, the leaders of this community are mostly men, but women are gaining ground as more girls grow up attending the good schools built by parents who wanted better for their children.
Many of The Women Who Attended The School Went on to Get High-Profile Jobs, Becoming Lawyers and Even Mayors
In the past 7 years, the number of female lawmakers and mayors in San Miguel has increased by a staggering 50 percent, according to the Mexican government. In all professions, women have become more prominent than ever in this city increasing overtime professional occupations the number of women working as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and teachers have risen from 15 to nearly 40 percent in the last 30 years. The women of San Miguel are independent, strong, and rising to the occasion. They’re taking charge of their families and communities, and they’re seizing their futures. These women are holding down the fort at home and on the farm. When they harvest beans or corn, they sell them to support their families. The crops they grow provide food for their children and income for other needs. And they earn even more by selling bread baked with cornmeal from those crops even in a country where most men don’t think women should have jobs outside the home. There’s no stopping these women now. With your help, we can do so much more to empower them and improve lives in this community. Many cultures appreciate the role of women and their fight for equality. Even though there are many different types of cultures and values, women are gaining ground in different parts of the world. They are becoming more independent, strong, and confident. This is happening more in San Miguel, but it is also happening in other countries around the world. The women in San Miguel are fighting for their rights, which is leading to a cultural shift. Therefore, the empowerment of women is taking charge as well as making a huge difference for women all around the world.Leadership From Women
In San Miguel, women are gaining ground. They are taking charge and as a the result, the world is a better place. What does leadership from women look like? We’ve seen it in our own lives, and research was done by the World Economic Forum: more empathy and collaboration in the workplace, fewer instances of harassment and discrimination, stronger health care systems. But traditionally women have been kept out of positions of power. It’s not just good for women to lead—it’s good for everyone. And that’s why we’re so excited about San Miguel. In San Miguel, women are stepping up to show their strength and independence, and they’re making a difference that benefits everyone, especially children. When you support [charity], you’re empowering mothers to provide better healthcare for their kids which means less disease and healthier families! When you support [charity], you’re helping girls stay in school longer, and when girls get an education, their whole community benefits!