Guatemalan Women are Recognized for Labor Excellence
On March 8, Guatemala’s Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (Mintrab) awarded 25 women the Order of Labor Excellence. The award recognizes extraordinary women for their daily contributions to the development of Guatemala. The recognition took place in commemoration of International Day of the woman, as reported by the Ministerio de Trabajo of Guatemala’s press release.
The award celebrates workers’ outstanding social and intellectual contributions. The honor has been granted annually since 2004, according to Ministerial Agreement 124-2004.
This year’s winners were chosen by a qualifying commission made up of representatives of the public and private sectors.
This year, the winners from the private sector are:
Flora Eugenia Arana Figueroa and Elizabeth Solórzano Ortíz, nominated by the College of Pharmacists and Chemists of Guatemala; Diana Jazmín de la Vega Espinoza de Furlán and Ana María Cruz Estrada de García, from the College of Architects of Guatemala; Sandra Patricia Barrera Larios de Bautista and Mildred Prisila Mendoza Sandoval de López, for the Benemérito Committee for the Blind and Deaf of Guatemala; Vilma Lysbiajani Cruz Salguero de García and Marta Lissette Aguilar Avendaño de Calderón, from the Rafael Landívar University; Andrea María Bolaños Aguirre for Walmart; Luisa Fernanda Correa Mancía for the Agricultural Chamber; Sandra Haydée Rodriguez López for Banrural; and, Ana Gabriela Pérez Mansilla for Transactions and Transfers S.A. 5B.
The winners for the government sector are:
Iliana Patricia Orozco Hernández, Nora Leticia Marroquín Orellana de Ruiz and María del Cármen Mora Argueta, nominated by the Social Communication Secretariat of the Presidency; Claudia Patricia Ruíz Casasola de Estrada, for the Ministry of Education; Alicia Yazmina Búrbano Castillo de Alonso, for the Ministry of Finance; Carmen Elisa Hernández Flores and Johana Ivonne Ocaña Azurdia, from the National Institute of Forensic Sciences of Guatemala; Marissa Isabelle Anleu de León and Madelim Stefanie Arana Rosales, for the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare; Hilse Morales Santos, for the Ministry of Social Development; Algedy Dennisse Morales de León, for the Judiciary; Cindy Yadira Lara Elias de Solórzano, for the Ministry of the Interior.
In addition, the president Alejandro Giammattei also recognized an outstanding woman. This year, María Tuyuc was elected for the creation of the Red Mundial de Empresas y Negocios Indígenas, a grassroots business movement of indigenous identity that generates alliances and works to create opportunities for the development of indigenous women and youth. Tuyuc’s efforts contributed to the support of 60 indigenous communities and approximately 2,800 people through 2021.
“We recognize María Tuyuc for promoting economically prosperous indigenous peoples,” Government of Guatemala.
María Tuyuc
María Tuyuc is a prominent Guatemalan indigenous leader who promotes the development of women and communities. In an article highlighting the roots of her career, Republica.gt describes her as,
“A renowned Kaqchikel leader, originally from the municipality of San Juan Comalapa, Chimaltenango, from a family with limited economic resources.”
According to Repubica, Tuyuc learned the trade of weaving through her mother and the gift of community service from her father.
Tuyuc is respected for her work on behalf of women as president of the Red Mundial de Empresas y Negocios Indígenas, and for her ability to manage projects that benefit women.
Economic Opportunity Unburdens Women
According to Tuyuc, economic development is the path to solve the problems that burden women and communities, such as violence and migration.
“No matter the project, María Tuyuc always sees opportunities and possibilities to improve the living conditions of women. Her work extends to more than ten departments of Guatemala and over 50 communities throughout the country,” details Republica.
The Economy of Sectors
Tuyuc’s industrious projects involve a variety of activities such as textiles, handmade items, agricultural, agribusiness, food, community based, tourism and others.
In a 2022 interview with Forbes Centroamérica, Tuyuc described details of her work:
“The Maya Business School is the main program of the Red de Empresarios Indígenas. It arises from the gaps that exist and the limitations regarding access to education, especially in the rural areas of Guatemala. And also because of the conditions of poverty that women live in particular.
We had the option and the need to create a methodology that would adapt to the conditions that women live; limitations in access to education, and on that basis, this Mayan Business School develops a curriculum that is made up of 3 levels of training with filters and mechanisms that accompany (the business person or new company) from the generation of the business idea to the marketing and export parts.
What the school proposes is an accompaniment of the entrepreneur during the entire business cycle. The methodology is based on the experience of indigenous community identity and base. We see development from our worldview,” shared Tuyuc, adding that the organization also benefits from the ILO’s (International Labor Organization’s) input and guidelines.
“Our facilitators are internationally certified to coach the entrepreneur and business person, whether the project is micro, small, medium or a large enterprise. We constantly seek the training of our facilitators. An essential element in the process is the use of language and our methodology through game. We share, have fun and learn through play.”
Watch Tuyuc’s Interview with Forbes
Dr. Soledad Quartucci | Founder
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