Esther Chávez Cano, 1933-2009

Esther Chávez Cano was a human rights activist who addressed the horrific effects of widespread violence against women and children in Juarez, Mexico

"We have much work left to do, the road ahead is long and hard. There will come a time when my voice becomes silent so that new voices can be heard to carry on the struggle for the rights of women, which, as I have said, is also for the rights of men, because it is the struggle for a more just and democratic society for all."
Esther Chávez Cano, November 9, 2007

In Memoriam: "The Woman Who Dared to Stand Tall on the Border" by Molly Molloy, January 12, 2010.

The Guide to the Esther Chávez Cano collection is available through New Mexico Archives Online (collection # Ms 0471).

Records of Chávez's activist work and her collection of newspaper clippings about crimes against women are housed in the Rio Grande Historical Collections. To view the collection, visit us in person or email us your inquiries or comments.

Biography

Esther Chávez Cano moved to Ciudad Juárez in 1982 after working in executive positions with several Mexican and international businesses. In 1988 she began writing for the newspaper Diaro and eventually gained a position on the executive board of the newspaper.

In 1992 Chávez founded the women's rights activist group Ocho de Marzo (Eighth of March) de Ciudad Juárez, which protested strict new abortion legislation proposed by Mexico's Partido de Acció n Nacional. In 1993 Chávez began keeping track of findings of murdered women in and around Juárez, and Grupo Ocho de Marzo began calling on the government to do better at solving outstanding murder cases and bringing those responsible to justice. In 1996 she helped a group of 11 feminist activist groups to form the Coordinadora de Organismos No Gubernamentales contra la violencia hacia las mujeres (Coordination of Non-Governmental Organizations against violence towards women), to unite all of the NGOs working for the prosecution and prevention of crimes against women. Four years of struggle by this union of groups finally gained the opening of a special investigative unit for sex crimes in the Juárez police force.

In 1999, Chávez founded Casa Amiga, a shelter for women who have experienced physical or sexual abuse, and the only such shelter in Juárez at the time.

Esther Chávez died on December 25, 2009, after a long struggle with cancer.

Additional Resources

Video

Papers

Al finalizar el Siglo XX pg 1. Press release from Grupo 8 de Marzo, page 1 Al finalizar el Siglo XX pg 2. Press release from Grupo 8 de Marzo, page 2. Al finalizar el Siglo XX pg 3. Press release from Grupo 8 de Marzo, page 3. Asesinatos de Mujeres pg 7. Mujeres Victimas 1993_1999: pages from a report presented at a conference in Las Cruces in 1999. Ay que le Vamos. Somos Mujeres Diferentes: verses written for the conference "Bridging Borders: Women & Development Amidst Free Trade," January 30-31, 2002. Castigas Por Ser Madres Column written by Esther protesting the maquiladoras' practice of firing workers who were found pregnant, October 20, 1998. Comunicado Communique announcing a demonstration on behalf of families of murdered young women. Coordinadora de Organismos March 14, 2003 pg 1 Coordinadora de Organismos March 14, 2003 pg 2 Coordinadora de Organismos pg 1 Page 1, By-laws of the Coordinadora juarense de organismos no gubernamentales en pro de la mujer. Coordinadora de Organismos pg 2 Page 2, By-laws of the Coordinadora juarense de organismos no gubernamentales en pro de la mujer. Letter June 30, 1998. Letter from Esther Chavez to the chief of the Chihuahua Creative Office thanking him for cooperating with the Coordinadora in a public awareness campaign, June 30, 1998. Meeting with Senator Bingman. The agenda for a meeting of activists with U.S. senator Jeff Bingaman, June 30, 2004. Mujeres Victimas 1993_1999 From a report presented at a conference in Las Cruces in 1999. Por lo tanto exigimos Communique announcing a demonstration on behalf of families of murdered young women. Reporte de Actividades pg 1. Page 1 from a report on activities from a women's rights and anti-violence campaign. Reporte de Actividades pg 2. Page 2 from a report on activities from a women's rights and anti-violence campaign. Somos Mujeres Diferentes Verses written for the conference "Bridging Borders: Women & Development Amidst Free Trade," January 30-31, 2002. Taller sobre violencia September 1995 pg 1. Announcement of a workshop about sexual violence held on September 26, 1995. Una Vida Sin Violencia (flyer front) Front of flyer announcing a book presentation: Con ganas de vivir . . . Una vida sin violencia es un derecho nuestro. Una Vida Sin Violencia (flyer back) Back of flyer announcing a book presentation: Con ganas de vivir . . . Una vida sin violencia es un derecho nuestro.

Newspaper Clippings

New Mexico State University