Dr. Sandra Mendiola

       Dr. Mendiola speaking to our class was very interesting. She did a study on street vendors in the late 1060s and early 1970s in Puebla, Mexico. She was interested in seeing the jobs of the women within the street vendors. Street vendors were big in that time because it was so hard to find jobs especially for the single mothers or just women in general. She talked about how women are reproductive laborers meaning they do anything extra they can to ease the daily lives of others. For example, women who sold vegetables would have them already cut into bags, so all the consumer had to do was go home and cook the vegetables. The problem with the street vendors was that police would constantly shut them down and even beat the producer. Eventually the Union for Street Vendors (UPVA) was formed  in 1973, bringing more opportunties to the women. The women were now active in the union from forming bonds with others to even speaking in public about their issues. One women that spoke many times had made a lot of scarifices just to make money being a vendor. She left her two children with her parents and moved to Pueblo because she did not have enough money for all three to move and eventually it paid off. She was able to build a house and not one day did her children go hungry, two facts to be very proud of. I know this quote from the book is related to the Navajos when in battle; however, I could see the women of Peublo having such courage and saying such a quote. “Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.” The women had nothing to depend but themselves while trying to fight their right to feed their family.

Speaker-Dr. Norman

              Dr. Norman gave me a lot of insight on the struggle and obstacles that women in the 19th century went through to allow women the right to vote. I thought I knew a good amount of the Women’s Right Movement; however, after Dr. Norman spoke and shared with us her knowledge I figured out I was quite rusty. The one thing that I found out that was heartbreaking was the fact that after all the hard work and dedication these women but into  the movement only one of them actually got the chance to vote. Even though those ladies did not get the right to vote, I know they would be fulfilled with what they were able to accomplish for future generations. Another thing that was amazing to me was the fact that Lucy Stone, co-founder of AWSA, actually keep her maiden name after marriage. The fact that a woman was able to do such a thing in the 19th century was shocking to me but very gutsy. The fact that thirty- two men actually showed up at the first Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls was remarkable. I would not have thought of any man being remotely interested in allowing a woman to get the right to vote. Dr. Norman has really sparked an interest in me and I look forward to learning more about women’s rights.

Dr. Adams/ Midwifery and Childbirth

     Dr. Adams coming to the class on Wednesday was a great way to acknowledge women on their rights and options during pregnancy. One of topics I found jaw dropping was the fact that 80 percent of women can have a healthy and normal labor while being by themselves at their own home. I know that in the past women did that exact thing, but in this day and age people are taught only about pregnancies in the hospital setting. Another topic I found interesting was the hormonal component during prenancy. Women have a hormone or “natural drug” known as oxytoxin, which is used for the rest periods during contractions; however, the drug padosine, which is used to start labor, effects the oxytoxin by not allowing those rest periods. Not allowing those rests period is what causing the mother and child to become so fatigue and could possibly result in negative outcomes.

 The one thing that I would love more about is the increase in newborn morbidity. Dr. Adams spoke about the popularity in inductions may be a reason for such high increased rates of autism. What I have often wondered is if the hormone injections in the processed food that we as Americans eat, if those foods have anything to do with the increase on these diseases. In the book it talks about how only 7 to 8 percent of people are fully covered through their insurance when it comes to hospital maternity care. Although there are goverment options, a lot of women don’t seek out prenatel care until their second or third trimester. A woman and her baby lacking the right amount of vitamins and nutrition can be very harmful for the both of them. Dr. Adams was a great speaker and came out of class feeling more aware and knowledgable.

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