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María Cristina Gómez

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María Cristina Gómez, human rights leader in El Salvador

María Cristina Gómez (5 May 1942–5 April 1989) was a Baptist primary school teacher and community leader in El Salvador who was abducted and murdered on 5 April 1989.

Christian Mission

A copy of the 'Maria Gómez Cross' showing scenes from her life

A member of Emmanuel Baptist church in San Salvador, Gómez was a national leader both of Baptist women and in the teachers' union.[1] She was a founder of the National Coordination of Salvadoran Women (CONAMUS), an organization of women founded in 1986. Since then, CONAMUS has addressed the issues which directly affect poor women in El Salvador, including domestic violence and rape, economic survival, lack of political participation, and social inequality. In 1989 CONAMUS opened a clinic to respond to women who were victims of domestic violence and rape. In her spare time Gómez went out into the local villages and taught the peasant women how to read. She did this so that they in turn could teach their children how to read but also so that they could read health and farming leaflets in order to improve the quality of their lives. However, some in authority became concerned that the previously illiterate peasants would now be able to read about their rights, and would begin to demand them.[2] She was found dead on the side of the road after being abducted.

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Legacy

After her death, her church commissioned a local artist to paint a wooden cross with scenes from Gómez's life, portraying her work among the poor women of El Salvador. Images of this cross have become internationally recognized, as they are used by churches and schools around the world to tell the story of Gómez's life and death.

Gómez was married to Salvador Amaya and had four grown children.

References

  1. ^ Pixley, Jorge 'Baptists and liberation theology: Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean'. From: Baptist History and Heritage January 1, 2000
  2. ^ Isabel Ramírez, 'Opening a Door to Women in El Salvador' EPICA website
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