Women Teachers of Rural Oaxaca: Agency and Empowerment

Teaching is the most popular career choice of Mexican women who pursue advanced education, and the majority of teachers in Mexico are women. Mexican maestras (women teachers) became a ubiquitous presence in the countryside following the Mexican Revolution and continue to make valuable contributions to their students. In the mountainous and largely rural state of Oaxaca, courageous maestras may spend years living away from their homes and families while teaching in isolated communities. These dedicated and courageous maestras pursued teaching so that they could defenderme, or take care of themselves and their loved ones. Through analysis of a dozen maestras' narratives, this ethnographic study explores ways that acquisition of schooling and employment has empowered maestras to make informed decisions about marriage, supporting themselves, helping their parents and siblings as needed, and provide education and opportunities to their own children. These maestras have served as role models for their students, relatives and neighbours. Moreover, by “planting seeds” through their labor, have played contributed to cultural changes, including the expansion of women’s roles in a patriarchal society.