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Photo credit: Ivett Peña
I learned about N-Gen thanks to a scholarship to participate in the Álamos Summit at the end of April 2024. Eight months pregnant, I took a flight from San José del Cabo to Tijuana and, from there to Ciudad Obregón, in Sonora. My gynecologist had warned me that it would be my last long flight, so she told me to enjoy the trip, but also to take care of myself. During the Summit, I felt cared for and looked after from the preparatory phase; they asked about dietary restrictions or requirements to ensure our stay. During the Summit, they took great care of me without being invasive, but very respectful. I felt safe. I didn’t want to miss the field trips, so I walked through the desert with my baby in my belly. Charlie de la Rosa was the leader of the group with which we explored the riverbank. The vegetation and water holes in the desert were incredible. The Summit and the unconference format were fascinating. In the hallways, I saw a call to join N-Gen’s Board of Directors. When I returned home, I applied, was interviewed four days before becoming a mother, and joined the Board.
Being part of the N-Gen Board has meant personal growth that I have experienced alongside my daughter’s growth. During the 2025 Board Retreat, I once again felt cared for, both myself and my baby. This is important for us women when we are mothering. Although there is currently talk of affirmative action, there are few spaces where it is guaranteed. Affirmative action is a temporary and special measure designed to correct the historical and structural disadvantages of vulnerable groups (women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, LGBT+ people, etc.) in order to achieve real equality of opportunity in areas such as politics, education, and employment, and to ensure equitable, effective, and non-discriminatory participation. In my case, as an Indigenous woman, mother, and researcher, I have been able to continue collaborating from a place of joy and enjoyment, as the schedules for our meetings are agreed upon collectively and are efficient in terms of time management, which is appreciated when you are a mother.
Photo credit: Ivett Peña
During our 2025 Board Retreat, all the necessary provisions were made to ensure breastfeeding and childcare, and a comfortable space was provided with good food and, of course, a play area for the children. Recognizing and valuing childcare work is not only about having spaces for children, but it is also a fundamental strategy for empowering mothers and building more just, equitable, and prosperous societies.
Without a doubt, women researchers with children face multiple challenges that combine the demands of a high-performance academic career with the responsibilities of motherhood and parenting, often in a gender-biased environment. However, at N-Gen, I can say that being a researcher and a mother is possible.
I believe that as a Board we can continue working to enable more women to participate in the process and guarantee childcare. I am sure that, little by little, we will achieve this.
