She is part of the team at the Association for the Initiative of Women\u2019s Rights, contributing through the organization\u2019s administrative coordination and financial area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She leads the administrative work and provides guidance and support to participants across the different programs, especially on financial matters, which are often more complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her work goes beyond administrative tasks. She makes sure that every program participant has the tools they need to work effectively, that teams function well, and that everyone feels comfortable in their work environment. Her goal is to make processes shorter and more efficient so no one has to wait too long. But Gloria is much more than her job title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Gloria, being an Indigenous woman in Guatemala has been a significant challenge. \u201cBefore working in civil society organizations, I experienced a great deal of ethnic discrimination, including being forced to remove my Maya clothing. At the time, it felt normal to me; I didn\u2019t realize it was a violation of my rights until I began working with organizations and understood everything that had happened.\u201d\n\n\u201cWomen\u2014especially Indigenous women\u2014have long been seen as incapable of holding senior positions within organizations. Now I know that we all have opportunities and that we can do it. We have shown that, as Indigenous women, we are achieving it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gloria recalls with pain how, in one of her jobs, a colleague in a higher position constantly mocked her. After leaving that workplace, Gloria began wearing her Maya clothing again; however, her former colleague would no longer greet her and did not want her nearby. This is how racism and discrimination diminish women\u2014especially Indigenous women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This experience led Gloria to reflect that Indigenous women have begun the process of breaking barriers and stepping into positions of power and decision-making, but that this change is generational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other barriers women\u2014and Indigenous women in particular\u2014face in exercising leadership include machismo and gender inequality. \u201cThat\u2019s why what we need are small pushes from other colleagues, other organizations, from people who believe in us,\u201d she says. This is reflected in the in-person gatherings included in the leadership program, which have been incredibly helpful\u2014moments with myself that have strengthened everything I am doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Looking in the mirror and recognizing onesel<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Today, when Gloria looks in the mirror, she says to herself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cWow, look how far you\u2019ve come.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
She sees herself as a strong woman who has learned to share that strength with others. Along her journey\u2014both personal and professional\u2014she has noticed deep changes, even in the way she speaks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She now sees herself as someone capable of achieving what she sets out to do. Today, she is the Gloria who, as a child, had many dreams\u2014and who has seen them come true in many ways. She recalls with emotion that she had her first dream at the age of eight and achieved it at twenty-five. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cI am a Gloria who has fought, moved forward, and\u2014despite the ups and downs I\u2019ve faced in life\u2014has managed to overcome them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The transformation of her leadership<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before joining the Mujeres Liderando program, Gloria did not see her leadership clearly reflected. She felt restrained, struggled to move forward, doubted herself, and often thought:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cI\u2019m not going to say this because it might not be the right thing, I might be wrong, I might contradict what has already been said.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
However, after participating for almost a year in the Mujeres Liderando training program, she says things are different now, as she feels empowered in her role, as she explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cThe change has been noticeable. One of my colleagues commented on the changes she has seen in me\u2014she told me I\u2019ve become much more confident when advising and speaking with others. Working with so many people, each with their own personality, and managing to bring everyone along has been a difficult and complex process, but I\u2019ve achieved that balance with all of them.\u201d
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nEnglish as a tool for empowerment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For Gloria, learning English is a very useful and important tool today. It is a language that opens access to spaces where participation is often limited because of language barriers. At the same time, it has been a challenge. After a few months of studying English, people began to say to her, \u201cAnd what is that going to be useful for? To begin with, you\u2019re a woman.\u201d And Gloria replied:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cYes\u2014but a woman shouldn\u2019t have limits when it comes to learning.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
She recognizes the importance of Maya languages, but also understands that organizations take part in conferences and other international spaces where English is necessary. Many times, not knowing the language causes women to remain silent and unable to express themselves. And when they remain silent, they allow others to make decisions for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cYes, I believe this is something very valuable for us as Indigenous women\u2014something we should aspire to and dream about. And above all, if at any point we have that opportunity, we should take advantage of it, because it helps us break silences and move toward something much better in the future.\u201d
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nNew aspirations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Now that Gloria is strengthening her skills and knowledge through leadership training\u2014while holding two key roles within her organization (administration and finance) and gaining experience working as part of a team\u2014she believes she can reach a higher position, either by advancing within her current organization or in other spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cThis rediscovery of my skills and potential has been shaped by many elements connected to Mujeres Liderando\u2014different trainings, experiences, and people\u2014which have made me feel transformed, filled with aspirations, dreams, and professional growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspiring others<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Gloria ha logrado inspirar a sus compa\u00f1eras y a otras mujeres cercanas. De hecho, se lo han dicho \u201cme gustar\u00eda poder tambi\u00e9n hacer lo mismo, me gustar\u00eda poder salir de esto\u201d. Sin embargo, muchas se limitan a s\u00ed mismas, poniendo como pretexto el tiempo<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cYou can do it because you already made time, but in my case, I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Even within her family, they have noticed a big difference. They have asked her, \u201cWhat\u2019s happened to you? What have you been doing?\u201d The confidence Gloria has gained is the same confidence other women are searching for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
La inspiraci\u00f3n que Gloria genera es a veces inconsciente. No va dici\u00e9ndole al mundo “miren, estoy as\u00ed, ahora ya cambi\u00e9”, sino que sus acciones hacen que la gente se pregunte qu\u00e9 pas\u00f3, qu\u00e9 hizo, qu\u00e9 est\u00e1 haciendo?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dreams and aspirations for Indigenous women and girls<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Gloria has many aspirations, but her main one is that all women and girls have the freedom to continue their education and to live full, well-rounded lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cWomen have always been held back in so many of the things we aspire to,\u201d Gloria reflects. That\u2019s why she hopes all women can have freedom\u2014because with freedom, they can begin to dream and start seeing themselves as women leaders in the future.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
A message to the world<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want the world to know that I am capable of achieving what I set out to do. That I am now living a happiness I have felt for some time. That I have climbed very difficult steps, broken barriers, and reached where I am today. I want them to know that I can do things\u2014that I can achieve\u2014no matter where I am. I know I can move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gloria has even envisioned herself in a role where she can make decisions at the national level to support women\u2014especially Indigenous women who have been held back. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019ll achieve it or not, but I will fight to get there.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stories like Gloria\u2019s are made possible through training processes, ongoing support, and networks of solidarity among women.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n