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Women Teachers of Rural Oaxaca

Agency and Empowerment
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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.
Jayne Howell is professor of anthropology at California State University Long Beach.
Chapter 1Para Defenderme: Empowering Oaxacan Women Through Education and Teaching Chapter 2Maestras' Childhoods: Learning Through Informal and Formal Education Chapter 3Becoming a Teacher: Different Paths in Different Eras Chapter 4Rhythms of Rural Teaching: Of Labor and Sacrifice Chapter 5When the Political Is Personal: Women's Participation in Local 22 Chapter 6Reaping the Rewards of Teaching: Marriage, Motherhood, and Other Life Decisions Chapter 7Fending for Oneself and One's Community: Planting Seeds of Change
This long-overdue ethnography on female teachers in Oaxaca provides fascinating insight into one of the largest yet overlooked sectors of the region's labor force. Based on over thirty years of research in the region, Howell's work expertly captures the challenges, struggles, and opportunities presented to rural women who, for decades, have pursued one of the few professional paths available to them. -- Ronda Brulotte, University of New Mexico
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