In the strongly patriarchal society of the Mexican state of Yucatan, it's not surprising that few women have dared to challenge the gender inequalities set against them at birth. They live in an environment where rape can be forgotten as a crime if the victim agrees to marry her aggressor and where negative pregnancy tests are often a prerequisite for employment in the maquiladora factories.

This book profiles 30 women who have dared to challenge such injustices and dramatically transform their situations. From local theatre directors and choreographers to civic leaders and politicians, each woman formed a unique leadership of circumstance dependent largely on the context of her personal experiences. The profiles, based on personal interviews and supplemented by photographs, describe the women's accomplishments and motivations as well as the obstacles they have confronted.