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When a community lacks structure, self-organization is necessary. Paula was
born in 1922 in La Cebolleta, Montemorelos Municipality, Nuevo León. At that
time, a child's priority was to help in housework. She was forced to quit
school early on, barely knowing how to write her own name. As a young married
woman, she moved with her husband to the community of La Unión where she
worked in order to help feed her family.
In the 70s', women from the community decided to organize themselves in order
to improve their living conditions and they chose Paula as President of the
new Communal Women's League. The beginning was not easy, but Paula did not
give up. She empowered the organized women to raise money for the
installation of electricity and drinking water, two urgent needs for the
community. They also built a grocery store, gave cooking classes and fought
for the establishment of a health center. Having learned the ancestral
tradition of midwifery, Paula expanded her knowledge through training with
the municipal doctor. This enabled her to obtain an official certificate,
allowing her to deliver basic medication to help women in six different
communities. Moreover, she was of great help to doctors on many occasions,
especially when the community faced malaria. With her activities, Paula
gained public recognition and today, at the age of 84 years old, still
assists pregnant women. After a long life of service she continues to support
community projects and shows great enthusiasm and desire to dedicate herself
to others for the improvement of life in the community.
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