Carole Counihan, the author of Food and Culture spent an extensive amount of time interviewing women in rural Southern Colorado. She aimed at using a food-centered methodology to present women’s food voices. Her research and ethnography projects aimed at presenting both feminist anthropology and ‘testimonios’. They also reflected on women and how they were able to overcome female subordination, not only through their cooking but also their relationship personal relationship with food.
One of the testimonials that Counihan presents is from a woman named Helen Ruybal. She was a woman who was from a small ranching town near Antonito, Colorado. I enjoyed learning more about Helen. She was a strong, free-thinking woman who led her life with confidence. She did this during an era when women were taught to simply be homemakers and tend to their families. Helen pushed the envelope of being not only being a wife and mother but also a confident and successful entrepreneur. Helen and her husband also did not follow traditional gender roles. Her husband had equally if not more cooking and child-rearing roles. Helen also contributed economically to her marriage, which went against many gender norms. Their shared responsibilities enabled her to feel confident as a woman.
Counihan sheds light on how women can achieve gender freedom and dignity through food and education. The women she highlights are exceptionally inspiring, their stories make me think about the kind of strong woman and mother I want to be.
Counihan, C. (2019). ‘Mexicanas’ Food Voice and Differntial Consciousness in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. In 970388763 753422028 C. Counihan & 970388764 753422028 P. V. Esterik (Authors), Food and culture: A reader (pp. 191-204). New York and London: Routledge.
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