Fair Trade
Marketplace: For home goods, specialty items, gifts, and more, start your shopping with the Marketplace of Together Women Rise. You support the hard work of artisans from around the world, and a portion of your purchase is returned to further the work of Together Women Rise. See the full list here. If you are a vendor and are interested in participating, review our Cause Marketing Guidelines and submit a proposal here.
Handmade by Friendship Bridge provides skills, learning experiences, education, and technical assistance to empower women artisan entrepreneurs of Friendship Bridge to reach their potential to sell their handmade products independently in local, national, and international markets. All Handmade by Friendship Bridge products, including handbags, jewelry, scarves, home decor, and ornaments are made in accordance with Fair Trade guidelines. Enter Together21 as the coupon code (on the “Discount Code” box) at check-out to receive a 10% discount, and to have Together Women Rise receive 10% of the purchase price from sales. Books and sale items are excluded. Visit Handmade by Friendship Bridge here. (Note: Friendship Bridge is a former Together Women Rise grantee.)
Books
Fiction
Empty Houses
By Brenda Navarro (2019; English translation)
Summary:
Told through alternating perspectives, this novel centers on two women connected by the disappearance of a child. It explores grief, motherhood, and the emotional complexities of longing and loss within a society shaped by inequality.
Relevance:
Examines the pressures and expectations placed on mothers, as well as how social and economic factors influence maternal experiences.
Gods of Jade and Shadow
By Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2019)
Summary:
Set in 1920s Mexico, this novel follows Casiopea Tun as she embarks on a journey steeped in Mayan mythology. Along the way, she challenges societal expectations and discovers her own strength and independence.
Relevance:
Engages with Indigenous cultural heritage and identity, offering insight into the traditions and perspectives that shape community and women’s roles.
Non-Fiction
Touching Bellies, Touching Lives: Midwives of Southern Mexico Tell Their Stories
By Judy Gabriel (2007)
Summary:
Through the voices of Indigenous midwives in southern Mexico, this book offers an intimate look at traditional birth practices, community care, and the transmission of generational knowledge. These stories highlight the deep trust between midwives and the women they serve, as well as the challenges they face within modern healthcare systems.
Relevance:
Provides a direct and personal perspective on Indigenous midwifery, illustrating the critical role midwives play in improving maternal and infant health outcomes in underserved communities.
In Vitro: On Longing and Transformation
By Isabel Zapata (2023; English translation)
Summary:
Blending memoir and essay, this reflective work explores fertility, desire, and the complexities of choosing motherhood. Zapata examines the emotional and societal dimensions of reproductive decisions in modern Mexico.
Relevance:
Provides a nuanced perspective on reproductive health and autonomy, expanding the conversation around what it means to become—or not become—a mother.
Bringing Mayan Midwives and Medical Staff Together to Improve Maternal Health in Chiapas, Mexico – Part of the Respectful Maternal Care Program
Music
Pasión de Mexico: Traditional Mexican Mariachi, Bolero & More
Available on Amazon streaming, MP3, and CD
