Talk about strong women. This cooperative of Zapotec women was started by Pastora, the oldest of five sisters, as a way to provide for her family after they lost their father. Fast forward 20 years, and this weaving group still exists as a way for single moms, widows, and unmarried women to make a living.

When we visited these women, they couldn’t wait to show us their handiwork – their faces beamed with pride as they told us about the different stories and symbols found throughout their weavings. Their personal favorite is the butterfly pattern – a symbol of beauty and liberty, everything that this cooperative stands for.

To them, these weavings aren’t merely objects to fill a home - they are artifacts of their own personalities and their Zapotec roots.