The Association of Women of Bacanora and Maguey
by University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors Students: Ben Tung, Kayla Turner, Lily Kupec, Ella Terrill, Avery Dorfman
This addition to the digital repository is related to the film Hijas del Maguey screening at the Agave Heritage Festival. More specifically a panel speaker Laura Espinoza and her organization are highlighted in our efforts to tell untold stories of women in the Agave industry. Our digital project includes an instagram reel highlighting Laura and the organization in Mexico. The reel can serve as a tool to market the Agave Heritage Festival and show the importance of gender equity and advocating for women in the agave industry.
Espinoza says, "Their commitment is to tradition and to those who keep it alive. It involves raising awareness and educating the industry, politicians, and the market.”
Laura Espinoza
Laura Espinoza’s Influence
Laura Espinoza is president of the Association of Women of Bacanora and Maguey of Mexico for the Sonora chapter. She shows her dedication for women in the agave industry through this organization for women. Laura advocates for professionalism and visibility in the industry as she lets women have their stories be told. Laura’s leadership is notable for her ability to change perspectives. Bacanora production was originally male dominated but Laura is changing the roles and allowing women to belong in those spaces. Outside of the association Laura holds many accomplishments that show she is a well-rounded leader that leads with purpose. She is an entrepreneur and consultant being the CEO of Le Bacanora Experta. Along with this she serves as a leader for guided Bacanora tastings to promote the protected agave spirit. Certified in National Distilled Spirits Tasting Standards, Laura continues to teach and mentor others.
Telling the Untold Stories of Women in the Agave Industry
The organization is significant for its ability to expand opportunities for women in agave production. Through the organization Laura is able to document stories and change gender barriers within Mexico. Throughout the years the Association of Women of Bacanora and Maguey has been able to provide training for women to be able to advance in Bacanora production. Being able to provide women with the skills needed allows for traditions to stay alive in Bacanora production. Training includes workshops, technical certifications, and more for women to expand their knowledge and create opportunities for themselves. Women come together to build community and ultimately support each other as they share stories and backgrounds in agave.
Agave was known for bringing groups of people together when they would conduct roasting pits. Every year, these groups of people would come together to roast, helping each other harvest. Furthermore, agave also plays a crucial role in heredity and ceremony. Agave was used in ceremony practices that offered a light alcoholic beverage to celebrate and show gratitude for labor. Agave is known for being sweet, fermentable, and important in hospitality. The sweetness that is provided by agave was important for those who lacked a variety of food and substance in their diet (S. & P. Fish, 2025).
Agave is used to make numerous crafting elements as well as everyday, usable items. These include ropes, mats, baskets, clothing, straws, and bags. One important, culturally-significant item created with agave is a carrying cloth that was used to carry items from the market, or even assist with carrying children from place to place. These varying uses demonstrate how agave is a crucial plant that helps keep the ways of living efficient for Indigenous communities (S. & P. Fish, 2025).
Agave requires a lot of human labor to ensure it grows successfully, but throughout the growth process, different communities are brought together. Agave's use even extends as a tool that can restore degraded landscapes and help with revegetation, even with our changing climate. Overall, agave is so much more than a mere plant - its cultural influences and resilient strength keeps communities connected and strong (S. & P. Fish, 2025).