by Hilary Klein
Seven Stories Press
2015, paperback
SKU: 9781609805876
Compañeras is the untold story of women’s involvement in the Zapatista movement, the indigenous rebellion that has inspired grassroots activists around the world for over two decades. Gathered here are the stories of grandmothers, mothers, and daughters who became guerrilla insurgents and political leaders, educators and healers—who worked collectively to construct a new society of dignity and justice. Compañeras shows us how, after centuries of oppression, a few voices of dissent became a force of thousands, how a woman once confined to her kitchen rose to conduct peace negotiations with the Mexican government, and how hundreds of women overcame ingrained hardships to strengthen their communities from within.
Reviews:
“A guiding light for a new generation of feminists and others who would challenge patriarchy, poverty, gender oppression, racism, and all the other inhumanities maintained by global capitalism.”—Elaine Brown, Black Panther Party leader and author of A Taste of Power and The Condemnation of Little B.
“Beautifully written, Compañeras is a story of love and courage that gives a new depth to our understanding of the Zapatista movement and resonates beyond Chiapas.”—Silvia Federici, author of Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation
“Belongs on the bookshelves of social justice activists and scholars everywhere.”—Chandra Talpade Mohanty, author of Feminism Without Borders
“Hilary Klein is a major talent and a welcome fresh voice.”—Luis Alberto Urrea, Pulitzer Prize Finalist for The Devil’s Highway
Hilary Klein lived in Chiapas, Mexico, for several years, where she worked with women’s projects in Zapatista communities. After she edited a book of Zapatista women’s testimonies to be circulated in their own villages, women in the Zapatista leadership suggested that Klein compile a similar book for an outside audience. Klein has been engaged in social justice and community organizing for twenty years. She currently works at Make the Road New York, a membership organization that builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities.