-
Birth and younger lifetime
On January 9, 1959, Rigoberta Menchú was born to a poor Indian family and raised in the Quiche branch of the Mayan culture. Also, she was in a peasant family. When she was little, she helped the family with farm work, or on the Pacific Coast where both adults and children went to pick coffee on the big plantations. -
The CUC
Rigoberta soon became involved in social reform activities through catholic church. She also became prominent in the women's rights movement when she was only a teenager. The Menchú family was accused of taking part in guerrilla activities and Rigoberta's father, Vicente, was imprisoned and tortured for allegedly having participated in the execution of a local plantation owner. After his release, he joined the recently founded Committee of the Peasant Union. (CUC) -
Mourning
In 1979, Rigoberta joined the CUC also. That year her brother
was arrested, tortured and killed by the army. Then the next year her father was killed when security forces in the capital stormed the Spanish Embassy where he and some other peasants were staying. Shortly after, her mother died after being arrested and tortured. -
Being active
Rigoberta then became very active in the CUC and taught herself Spanish and other Mayan languages. In 1980 she went to a strike the CUC organized for better conditions for farm workers on the Pacific coast. Also, on May 1, 1981, she was active in large demonstrations in the capital. -
The new phase
In 1981, Rigoberta had to go into hiding in Guatemala, and then flee to Mexico. This marked the beginning of a new phase in her life: as the organizer abroad of resistance to oppression in Guatemala and the struggle for Indian peasant peoples' rights. In 1982 she joined in the founding of the joint opposition body, The United Representation of the Guatemalan Opposition. -
Period: to
Becoming a member
In 1893, she told her life story to Elisabeth Burgos Debray. The resulting book, called in English, I, Rigoberta Menchú is a human document which attracted considerable international attention. In 1986, Rigoberta Menchú became a member of the National Coordinating Committee of the CUC. -
Fame
1987, Rigoberta as the narrator for a film called When the Mountains Tremble, about the struggles and sufferings of the Maya people. On at least three occasions, Rigoberta returned to Guatemala to plead the cause of Indian peasants, but death threats have forced her back into exile. During this she would stay out of Guatemala and go somewhere else to be safe. -
Awards
Rigoberta has won many awards for what she does, and some of her speeches. Also, she became widely known as leading advocate of Indian rights and ethno-cultural reconciliation. This happened not only in Guatemala, but in the western hemisphere. -
Running for President of CUC
In 2007, Rigoberta ran for Presidency of Guatemala with Encuentro por Guatemala. She made important contributions in the first indigenous party in Guatemala, and earning enough votes to make her party official. Then she ran again for President with this party in 2011. Rigoberta was not elected, but still helps thoroughly in Guatemalan politics and the struggle to end impunity. -
Her Books
Throughout her life (she is still alive), Rigoberta has made many books. Some are stories, biographies, and lesson-learning books. A few of her books are Crossing borders (1998), The Girl from Chimel (2005), The Honey Jar (2006), and The Secret Legacy (2008).
