Voy a luchar por mi misma! "I will fight for myself!": Extraordinary acts and ordinary womanhood. The political leadership of a rural, Mayan woman

Early studies concerning the participation of women in social movements have been shown to lack portrayals of women as agents of change. This thesis examines a political anthropology of action or agency within the context of gender, including a discussion on the characterization of women in Mexican politics, to analyze the structures of opportunity that have allowed Soledad Torrez Chay, a rural Mayan woman, access to resources, power, and leadership. Aspects of Soledad's life history illustrate her understanding of the economy, politics, and history of Mexico. This research fills gaps in previous analyses that have focused on women as victims of oppression and exploitation.