In a historic and symbolic move, President Claudia Sheinbaum declared 2025 the Year of the Indigenous Woman in Mexico. This national initiative honors the vital role Indigenous women have played in shaping the country’s cultural, political, and social fabric, from ancient civilizations to the present day.
The campaign seeks to reclaim historical memory and elevate the voices and legacies of Indigenous women, who have long been the guardians of tradition, language, and community resilience. The government has planned a series of exhibitions, cultural events, and educational programs throughout the year, both in Mexico and internationally, to highlight its contributions.
A central emblem of the initiative features four iconic Indigenous women, each representing a major pre-Hispanic culture:
- Tecuichpo-Ixcaxochitzin (Mexica): Daughter of Moctezuma II, she symbolizes resistance and survival during the Spanish conquest.
- Tz’ak-b’u Aha, the Red Queen (Maya): A powerful political and religious figure from Palenque, she exemplifies wisdom and leadership.
- Señora 6 Mono (Mixtec): A co-ruler immortalized in the Selden Codex, she represents pragmatic governance and cultural preservation.
- Xiuhtzatzin (Toltec): The first Toltec queen, known for her humility and deep knowledge of her people, proving leadership transcends lineage.
This year-long tribute is not only a celebration but also a call to action—to protect Indigenous languages, defend ancestral lands, and ensure Indigenous women are recognized as central to Mexico’s identity and future. As Culture Minister Claudia Curiel stated, “We cannot understand Mexico without Indigenous women—the grandmothers, mothers, and daughters who carry ancestral knowledge”.
With information from indigenousmexico.org
