Discover the nonprofit organization, Friendship Bridge, and its work that empowers women and eliminates poverty in Guatemala. Learn more about the artistry and Indigenous Mayan symbolism that can be found in traditional Guatemalan women’s clothing, and how you can help support Guatemalan artisans.
Instructor: Elizabeth “Betty” Chambers Toguchi, a retired financial advisor and Guatemalan textile enthusiast. In 2015, she and her husband Roger were asked to be a part of a fact-finding trip to Guatemala. (Rotary International wanted to donate funds to help the residents around Lake Atitlán recover from Hurricane Stan). She and Roger were part of a team selected to assess the needs of the Mayan people living near and around the lake. On this trip, she met a Mayan woman for the first time, who was working in her home on a backstrap loom, weaving material for a traditional Guatemalan blouse. This experience introduced her to the beauty and variety of Guatemalan textiles. Betty has been a fierce advocate for both textile preservation and the artisans who make them ever since.
Location: PJCC Boardroom