Rigoberta Menchú Tum

Nobel Peace Prize winner, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, known as Menchú, began her life on a coffee farm in Chimel, Guatemala.  Her parents, Quiche Maya natives, were civil rights activists in their community.  This early start to activism fueled by Menchú’s passion for women’s rights and social reform.  Her family fought for social rights to support and protect the native Guatemalan people during the 36 year Guatemalan Civil War (1960-1996).  As a result, her family suffered.  Her father was killed in a fire during one protest.  In retaliation for continued activism, her brother was kidnapped, tortured, and killed by Guatemalan guerilla forces.  A year later, in 1981, her mother was also tortured and killed by Guatemalan guerilla forces.  Menchú fled to Mexico in 1982.  There she joined international efforts to protest the Guatemalan’s violent campaigns against indian peasants.  Her widely regarded book, I Rigoberta Menchú, chronicles the atrocities during that time in history.  In 1992, for her work in social justice and serving as a conduit to reclaim Guatemala for indigenous people,  Menchú was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.