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Elvia Carrillo Puerto, popularly known as La Monja Roja or The Red Nun, was one of the foremost feminists and social activists in Mexico. She was born in a Carrillo Puerto family on December 6, 1878 in the Yucatan Peninsula and was raised in an era with numerous restrictions on women. Such social restrictions did not dissuade her, and Carrillo Puerto committed herself to addressing women’s injustices and gender biases in the struggles for equal rights, the vote for women and social change. As an early Mexican activist lobbies for women to be given the ballot, access to contraception, and women’s education. She was born into a politically charged family and her brother Felipe Carlos Carrillo Puerto was a governor of Yucatan. Felipe was a leader in the process but a progressive leader as well, who aspired to achieve social progress through education and equality. Her family believed in her visions and provided some level of shield. Yet, this shield and encouragement was not eternal. But in 1924, Felipe was killed because he insulted the conservative forces and this loss was tough as it affected Elvia both professionally and personally. Such tragedy ripped Elvia’s family through total resentment and the political, economic and social welfare of the whole family was greatly in danger.

Elizabeth’s ideas about women’s rights advancement and about social reform in general were viewed as ‘radical’ and ‘dangerous’, which pronounced her a target of governmental surveillance. After losing the protection of her brother, every single one of Elvia’s steps became more pernicious, and more often than not, her meetings and actions were compelled to be done in great concealment. She, in any case, did not halt her tempo. She was deeply convinced of the value of women’s and the society’s equality, therefore she kept on addressing such topics as women’s suffrage or educational reform. The death of Felipe also caused a very heavy burden on the financial resources of the Elvia family. While most families criticized her activism, bringing her status down in the process, Elvia was partially supported by her family. Elvia was convinced that women’s voices were crucial in the creation of an equitable and just system, and she exerted great efforts in support of women’s suffrage. However, her attempts were met with such stubborn opposition that it was widely held that women had no place in politics. Elvia, however, was uncompromising and focusing her propagandistic attempts she achieved some success in her lifetime. Despite the fact that Mexican women were not entitled to vote on the national level until 1953, a large segment of her early efforts were critical to the success of this goal. The difficult situation encouraged a lot of women to get involved in the movement, and the determination of the woman in this instance began to alter the general views around the function of women out there. Besides, in the case she went public with the need for women to be in charge of their reproduction health where speaking about contraception was still a taboo. The two of them are acknowledged for her success as women’s rights activists who fought for the trends known by the future feminists and social activists. If higher education aided social changes then her campaigns assisted people to change their opinions towards women’s role and their capabilities which opened doors for women in politics, education and many spheres in society. A case in point is her strong stance regarding reproductive rights and education, and social justice which became the base for many women in Mexico today. Women’s lives in Mexico and Latin America were transformed through Amelia’s work, which addressed women’s suffrage, birth control, education, and social justice. A woman who had the guts to oppose the established order and threw herself into the struggle of equality became an icon of strength and a role model for the future generations.