The honor received by Amalia Fischer, co-founder of ELAS, comes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Mexican State, through the Institute of Mexicans Abroad. It recognizes Mexicans who live abroad and have distinguished themselves, whether by supporting other Mexicans abroad, doing important services for the Mexican community or the community where they live, or those who stand out for their profession. The recognition is called Ohtli, which for the Nahuatl ethnic group means path.
In the Neanderthal period, people ran away from the lava of a volcano and left footprints. The Nahua poets asked themselves, "Which way shall my heart go?" And the answer in the codices (ancient manuscripts engraved on wood) was: "Melahuac Ohtli", which means "It's the right river path. This is what will lead you to fulfill your destiny." Even today, when those who keep their language alive say goodbye, they do as the Nahuas do: "Cualli Ohtli" (Good way!).
The Institute of Mexicans Abroad presents the Ohtli recognition to all those people who dedicate their lives to opening gaps abroad so that generations of young Mexicans and the people in the territories where they live can find an easier path to follow.
In a ceremony full of poetry, symbolism and the recovery of ancestry, Consul General Héctor Valezzi presented Amalia Fischer with a diploma and a silver medal. Amalia was a professor for 20 years at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where she was one of the founders of the Center for Women's Studies. Now in Brazil, she supports women's organizations in civil society, contributing greatly to the women's movement through the creation of the ELAS Fund.
Very moved, Amalia thanked the Mexican State, its citizens, who, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute of Mexicans Abroad, had given her this recognition. "It's my country that recognizes what I've done as a feminist in Mexico and what I'm doing as a feminist in Brazil. And I'm here today because others came before me and, with their footsteps, showed me the way."
In her speech of thanks, Amalia highlighted the women who fought against the colony, those who fought for the republic, those who fought in the Mexican Revolution, the suffragettes and the women who built the Mexican feminist movement in the 70s, 80s and 90s. And Amalia was with them.
"Now I'm following in the footsteps of women in Brazil and building footsteps with younger women, side by side. What I am, I owe to all women. "
Amalia paid tribute to Luzero Gonzales, founder of Semillas, the first women's fund in Latin America; Marjan Sax, co-founder of Mama Cash, the oldest international fund for women in the world; and Ana Maria Enriques, who worked at the Global Fund for Women.
"I learned a lot from them! This recognition of me, as co-founder of the ELAS Fund, is a recognition of all the founders of ELAS: Neusa Pereira, Madalena Guilhon, Isabel Ferreira and Raquel Silva. And also to the entire ELAS team. "
He highlighted Social justice philanthropy, especially at this time of pandemic, where civil society organizations stand out.