In 1995, Líderes Campesinas developed a folk art/teaching tool in the form of theatrical presentations (dramas or teatros) to communicate sensitive information in a visual, engaging manner to low-literacy (and Spanish-dominant) Latina farmworker women. These theatrical presentations are scripted and performed by the campesinas themselves and are designed to establish confianza (trust) among the audience in order to later engage them in frank and open dialogue (What is meant by “sensitive information” varies by the issue and/or problem being depicted, but generally it refers to cultural values and beliefs, and behavior patterns detrimental to the quality of life/health of the individual, family, and community). The skits? dialogue reflects the actual vocabulary and idioms of the Latina/o farmworker community, and the topic they are targeting. Similarly, theatrical presentations are frequently used to sensitize service providers (for example, community clinic staff or law enforcement representatives) about the stereotypes, misconceptions, and myths that they may have about working with immigrants.

This method of depicting “real life” experiences through theatrical presentations to raise awareness and provide information is an essential component of the organization?s empowerment, leadership development, and community organizing efforts. It has proven effective for targeting Latina farmworker women with low rates of educational attainment and limited English literacy.

This Organization was strengthened in 1994 after the second convening of farmworker women and their families. Through this convening different community issues were identified. The most relevant topics that stood out through this and five other convenings are: Domestic Violence, Pesticides, Sexual Harassment/Assault in the Workplace, Labor and Hours, Housing, Education, Breast and Cervical Cancer, Childcare, Teen Pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS. Women shared their concerns about labor abuse through managers, lack of communication between management and workers, poor hygiene in the restrooms, scarce fresh drinking water availability, and unfair payment of wages.

Líderes Campesinas began recruiting volunteer members experiencing issues mentioned above to train them on how to stand up for their rights. Farmworker women themselves go through a series of trainings provided by professionals or issue experts including legal aspects to different problems. Líderes Campesinas prepares farmworker women to advocate for her rights and to help support other women so that they learn to do the same. When Líderes Campesinas began educating farmworker women, problems were already evident, but there was no one in the community to educate or orient women in the community about their human rights or farmworker women rights. A lot was unknown about disease prevention, abuse, and pesticide poisoning.

Throughout the journey of farmworker women’s movement, it was understood that with the support of other groups, public service providers, and other altruistic people that power would increase, along with strength and knowledge to raise consciousness about the importance of promoting change within our society. Líderes Campesinas has informed and raised consciousness through trainings and theatrical skits; educating farmworker women and their families in different parts of California and other states within the nation. Several brochures have been created in Spanish to help provide written information to the farmworker women communities. Capturing the cultural context of workers, knowing and understanding that there are women whom do not read in Spanish, these brochures were designed in a more visual way; to give them the right message on how to prevent pesticides poisoning, how to prevent abuse in the workplace and/or at home. Messages also include how to promote social justice. Líderes Campesinas has collaborated with important state and federal agencies, other organization and service providers to accomplish better results on farmworker women’s health. Some of these agencies include: OES, EEOC, DFEH, EDD, American Cancer Society, Cal OSHA, EPA, CRLA, CRLAF, and organizations like Legal Momentum, Family Violence Prevention Fund, National Network on Behalf of Battered Immigrant Women, Southern Law on Poverty Center, Californians for Pesticide Reform, Center for Employment Training, CRPE, Migrant Clinicians Network, Farmworker Justice, Rural Coalition, Florida Farmworker Association and many other notable organizations.

Líderes Campesinas has its Central Office in Ventura County located at 2101 South Rose Avenue, Suite A, Oxnard, CA 93033. The Organization has organized its Chapters throughout California in the following regions: Salinas, Madera, Huron, Lamont, Ventura County, Coachella Valley, Sonoma, and King City.

Líderes Campesinas was founded by farmworker women who share a vision of a better life for themselves and others within their communities.

Maylei Blackwell is an activist scholar who began work with Líderes Campesinas in May of 2005. During this time the organization invited her to lead an ethnography to document their history, leadership models and pedagogy strategies.

You can visit her documented article (Here)