She left the world too soon, after a struggle with kidney cancer. She was petite in stature but powerful in her strength of character and commitment. Comandanta Ramona left a legacy because of her struggle in Chiapas that Latinas and all mujeres can look up to. She was the founding member of the Clandestine Indigenous Revolutionary Committee (CGRI), the leadership body of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN). She consulted indigenous Zapatista communities about the exploitation of women and subsequently penned the Revolutionary Laws of Women which were passed on this day in 1993. During the 1994 uprising in San Cristóbal, she was placed in charge of the military. Comandanta Ramona was the first Zapatista representative to speak during peace talks with the Mexican government subsequent to the uprising.

Comandanta Ramona was such a force to be reckoned with that the Mexican government tried to undermine her power by making announcements of her passing in 1997, claiming the mujer making a public appearances was a body double.

Some of the rights Comandanta Ramona fought for included access to power in the decision- making process; the freedom to choose their partner; to not be beaten or physically abused by family members nor others; to decide on the number of children that they can bear and take care of, as well as to have the right and the priority to nutrition and health care.

In the words of Comandanta Ramona :

The women finally understood that their participation is important if this bad situation is to change, and so they are participating although not all of them are directly involved in the armed struggle. There is no other way of seeking justice, and this is the interest of the women.

She was not just speaking to Indigenous women. Her words should apply to all women.

Via / Chiapas IndyMedia