New book series spotlight: Women in Mesoamerican and Latin American art and history
- Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
History is full of extraordinary and interesting women whose stories deserve to be learned and celebrated, yet so many remain hidden in the shadows. That’s why I’m thrilled to (re)introduce my forthcoming middle-grade nonfiction series, which focuses on remarkable women from Latin American history and art; I am including the Caribbean in here, too. In particular, I want to spotlight women in Mesoamerican and Spanish colonial history—which poses its own challenges.
The book series
The series begins with Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the 17th-century Mexican nun often called the "first feminist of the Americas." But she’s just one of the incredible figures in this series. Each book tells the story of a fascinating woman (or women) who shaped history, culture, or art. Because I am an art historian, I want to focus on how we learn about women as they have been depicted in art and how they have been discussed in texts (if they have been at all!). So here is the current list of women in the series if all goes well.
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: This child prodigy, author, and nun was absolutely remarkable, and her story is worth knowing.
Lady Six Monkey: A Mixtec warrior queen who ruled with strength and strategy in Oaxaca, Mexico in the late 11th century who we learn about through Mixtec screenfolds.
La Malinche: A complex and pivotal figure in the history of the Spanish invasion and conquest in Mexico, known for her roles as a translator, advisor, and cultural bridge.
Lady Xoc (Xook): An ancient Maya queen whose legacy is powerfully etched into stone and reveals the important roles that women had in Classic Maya culture.
Aztec healers: While we have no known named individuals, we know some Aztec women used their knowledge of plants and rituals to care for their communities and preserve Indigenous traditions.
Anne Bonny and Mary Read: Two of the most fearsome pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean.
NOTE: It is important for me to mention, too, that some of these books will focus on important groups of women because, at least as of this moment, we don't have specific, individual names and it seems problematic to simply omit important women.
I have some other ideas up my sleeve, but for now, you will have to wait to hear about them!
A series about women in Mesoamerican and Latin American art and history
This series is all about making history come alive for young readers—celebrating the history of women but also the history of art—and how powerful art history is. It can be one of the most important ways to learn about people in the past.
These stories not only highlight the accomplishments of these women but also explore their cultural contexts, encouraging readers to think critically about how history is told and remembered—especially in the material and visual record. Art is never neutral. Like a written text, a visual text (or art) has a purpose. Learning how to look critically is so vital in today's world!
Give the people what they want!
I’m so excited to share these books and introduce young readers to the rich, vibrant stories of Latin America’s past. This series is really different from my Disney art series, but they share one important thing in common: art history! I am always working hard to find different ways to introduce people, from kids to adults, to art history and its relevance (despite what some might believe.
Stay tuned for updates, sneak peeks, and release dates. Let’s celebrate these extraordinary women together! Sign up for my newsletter to stay in the loop.
As always, I'd love to know what you think. Do you want to learn more about women in Mesoamerican and Latin American art and history?
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