9 Inspiring Women Who Have Fought for the Rights and Visibility of Afro Latin Americans

Twenty-five years ago, women from more than 30 Latin American and Caribbean countries came together in the Dominican Republic to find ways to address racism from a woman’s perspective. Their objective was to find how to fight for their political, social, and cultural rights. The day has been commemorated as Día de la Mujer Afrodescendiente since then. 

Mama Llama, an Afro-Ecuadorian leader with Movimiento Afro Libre del Azuay, remembers that 1992 meeting and says that little has changed since that day. “After 25 years of the establishment of the date by la Organización de Naciones Unidas,” she told El Tiempo, “Afro-descendants continue our struggle to achieve several of the objectives that brought us together at that time.”

And while it’s a day to reflect on the injustices that still exist, it’s also a day to celebrate black womanhood. Día de la Mujer Afrodescendiente focuses on the strength of the women who are working to break the cycle of racism and sexism in their countries – women who have fought hard for equal rights and who have paved the way for other Afro Latin Americans.

In honor of July 25, we’ve compiled a list of nine women who have broken barriers, fought against racism, and heightened visibility for Afro Latin Americans.