For a Just and Better World: Engendering Anarchism in the Mexican Borderlands, 1900-1938

Caritina Piña Montalvo was a Mexican anarcho-syndicalist who fought for labor rights and gender equality. Sonia Hernández's book tells the story of Piña and other Mexicanas in the Gulf of Mexico region who connected groups in the US and Mexico, leading to the rise of anarcho-syndicalism as a tool for achieving labor and gender equity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2021
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Caritina Piña Montalvo personified the vital role played by Mexican women in the anarcho-syndicalist movement. Sonia Hernández tells the story of how Piña and other Mexicanas in the Gulf of Mexico region fought for labor rights both locally and abroad in service to the anarchist ideal of a worldwide community of workers. An international labor broker, Piña never left her native Tamaulipas. Yet she excelled in connecting groups in the United States and Mexico. Her story explains the conditions that led to anarcho-syndicalism's rise as a tool to achieve labor and gender equity. It also reveals how women's ideas and expressions of feminist beliefs informed their experiences as leaders in and members of the labor movement.

A vivid look at a radical activist and her times, For a Just and Better World illuminates the lives and work of Mexican women battling for labor rights and gender equality in the early twentieth century.

Caritina Piña Montalvo, a prominent figure in the anarcho-syndicalist movement, exemplified the significant contributions of Mexican women to this revolutionary movement. Sonia Hernández, in her narrative, sheds light on the remarkable stories of Piña and other Mexicanas who actively engaged in advocating for labor rights both locally and internationally, driven by the anarchist vision of a unified global community of workers. Piña, despite her roots in Tamaulipas, played a crucial role as an international labor broker, successfully bridging groups in the United States and Mexico. Her remarkable journey illuminates the circumstances that paved the way for anarcho-syndicalism to emerge as a powerful tool for achieving labor and gender equity. Furthermore, her story unveils how women's ideas and expressions of feminist beliefs shaped their experiences as leaders and members of the labor movement, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

Through the lens of Caritina Piña Montalvo and the broader narrative of Mexican women in the anarcho-syndicalist movement, For a Just and Better World offers a captivating glimpse into a radical era and the unwavering struggles of women for justice and equality. It serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of these women, who, despite facing numerous challenges, played a pivotal role in shaping the history of labor movements worldwide.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252086106