Letter 5 - They Were At The Bottom of Society

Hello Bregdan Woman,

This story began when the nine brothers and sisters huddled together in their small, simple home.

“Ok, it’s decided then, right?”

“Right!”

“When one of us gets to the university, he or she will help the next one get there. Right?”

“Right!”

What a conversation! In many countries this idea wouldn’t have been as big a deal as it was for Antonieta and her eight sisters and brothers. Born into a rural Mayan-Kaqchiukel family in Guatemala, it was rare enough for males to get an education – unheard of for females!

How did they think they were going to pull off their agreement?

Life is anything but easy for the indigenous people of the Guatemalan Highlands. More than 50% of the poor, rural, primarily indigenous population lacks even the most basic of services (including schools). Only 7% of their homes have access to telephones, radios, or other communication.

When it comes to Indigenous women, it’s especially hard. They live on the outside edge of society. They don’t have the same opportunities as men to study, learn Spanish, leave their communities, and improve themselves; much less serve in public office. They’re mistreated within their own communities by being forced into servitude to their husbands. In addition, because they often live in extreme poverty, women must concentrate on feeding their families with little or no thought to their own needs or rights.

It was in this world that nine brothers and sisters came together to make a pact.

A pact that enabled Antonieta Castro Abaj to push her way out of this marginalized existence.

Her parents encouraged all their children to study. They believed the siblings would fulfill their pact.

I’m excited to tell you that each sibling did attend university. Not one of them married before the age of 30 because of their commitment to the others. From extreme poverty to economic success, the Abaj family now has a veterinarian, doctor, teacher, and pilot.

And they have Antonieta - who is championing the cause of indigenous women in Guatemala and throughout Central America! After years of working with different businesses around the world, she had the knowledge and experience to follow her true passion.

She went back home to Guatemala.

Antonieta knew all too well that the poorest of the poor didn’t have time to think about human rights – they were too busy just trying to stay alive. She searched for a way to help these people, especially the women who were at the very bottom rung of society. She knew she couldn’t get them excited about their rights, or the possibility of escape from their dire situations, with empty promises of freedom.

She was determined to enable other overlooked Indigenous women to discover their own power.

She had to provide something tangible that would positively affect their husbands as well.

What did they need the most? Well, the answer to that question was simple - they needed money.

So Antonieta did what a Bregdan Woman would do. She came up with a plan - one that the women couldn’t resist…

She would offer women small, no-interest loans, and help them advance financially, IF they would attend one of her study groups.

I laughed when I learned this. Bribery can be very effective when used for the right reasons! 😊

But here’s the thing… Having a plan is one thing. Turning your plan into a reality is something else entirely.

Antonieta went door-to-door recruiting women with the promise of financial help, if they would attend a special group she was offering just for them.

It worked!

Lured by the promise of money, the women were willing to discover what the meetings were all about.

Antonieta was determined to open the women’s minds to possibilities they had never dreamed of.

The study groups discussed topics ranging from local community issues to national and even international politics. Through their discussions the women not only learned about their rights but also developed interest in the politics of their local community and region.

In a world where women like them didn’t really have value, just being in the same room with other women who were being challenged to think differently had to be mind-boggling.

Being given money to start businesses, and then receiving the training for success, was as equally mind-boggling.

As the women brought in additional income, their husbands and families encouraged them to continue attending the study group. They would deal with a little mind expansion if money came along with it!

Antonieta’s plan succeeded wildly.

Equipped with new knowledge and a new confidence, the women were ready to become involved at the community level.

Antonieta taught them about the importance of having personal identification cards, and then helped them obtain them. With these cards, the women were able to register to vote. Wow!

She also encouraged them to attend community meetings, and helped them contact the correct officials about their particular concerns. Finally, she encouraged them to run for elected office. She made them believe they could.

Courageous Bregdan women stepped forward to run for office. They fostered hope and they set the precedence for the ones who followed.

How exciting!

Knowing she is only one woman who can do just so much, Antonieta trains the women who are members of the study groups how to recruit, start new groups, educate, and train even more women.

She understood the power of multiplication!

Her simple approach has spread throughout Guatemala and Central America.

This Bregdan Woman has made a huge difference for marginalized people in her country, as well as throughout Central America. She is one who speaks with knowledge and authority, because she has already accomplished what she teaches others to do.

Wisdom comes from experience and knowledge.

You may have a dream as big as Antonieta, but you can also make a difference where you are today – in your neighborhood, your city, your state.

A Bregdan Woman understands the power of empowering other women to realize who they truly are.

Here are your questions…

Who can you empower today?

Who needs to hear that they are far more than they know they are?

Who needs to believe they can do more than they imagine?

What will you do to be a Bregdan Woman?

What will you do today to impact history??

I’m on this journey with you…

Ginny