Las Pistoleras celebrates Women’s History Month with special events

To observe Women’s History Month during March, organizers at Las Pistoleras Instituto Cultural de Arte in El Prado plan to honor six women. The women will be honored in education, activism and traditional arts categories in celebration of their contributions to the history of the community. 

March 2

The first presentation on March 2 recognized contributions to education. Lorraine Coca-Ruiz, the first recipient, served as business manager of Taos Municipal Schools (TMS). She also served a term on the board of education, filling the positions of vice president and president. Coca-Ruiz believes that curriculum should be helpful for the students. 

Also a former member of the TMS board, Stella Gallegos first began her interest in helping students as the parent of a physically disabled student prior to the passage of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). She has worked in various positions in the Taos school system and served on the Governor’s Commission on Disability, the mayor’s committee for persons with disabilities and the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.

March 16

This date is set aside to honor community activists. Petra Quintana considers herself to be a behind-the-scenes activist, having worked in the forefront of the spring ditch problems and now encouraging her husband, Dave Rael, to continue the work. Organizations and activities Quintana is involved in reflect her passionate issues: a mentor for the Men Against Violence Against Women program, the New Mexico Fathers’ Rights movement (part of a national organization), Children of Parental Alienation syndrome and as a consultant on health issues.

March 30

This evening’s presentation is reserved in honor of the traditional arts. Priscilla Cruz, a member of the Martínez Hacienda Quilters group, also completes her own projects. She designs and creates wreaths — some for the gravesite of her late husband, Tomas. Along with Cruz, Las Pistoleras organizers plan to honor artist Jeralyn Lujan Lucero, whose sculpture creations depict Native American women of today. The owner of Taos Pueblo’s Sagebrush Veer Studio Gallery, Lucero features her own micaceous pottery work, sculptures, paintings, silver (sun silver fingernails made of pure silver, earrings and necklaces), T-shirts and high-definition archival cards that picture images she has completed.

The presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. on the assigned evenings at Las Pistoleras, located at 1219 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, next door to Camino Real Imports. The events are free and open to the public. Call (575) 758-3227 for more information.