Macedonia Blas Flores
Macedonia Blas Flores (born 1958) is a Mexican human rights activist of hñañú origin. She was a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, because of the activism she wages against the violence suffered by the women of her tribe, the Otomi. Since 1997, she has headed the civil association Fotzi Ñahño, which aids Otomi. Biography Blas Flores is from El Bothe, San Ildefonso Tultepec, municipality of Amealco, Queretaro. The mother of 12 children spent decades selling handicrafts. Since 1997, she has worked for Fotzi Ñahño, where she speaks on human rights and gender violence against hñañú. Her work at the association features workshops for women regarding gender violence, prevention of violations among indigenous girls, prevention of women's alcoholism. She is also involved in projects for planting vegetables and she supports women's economic development. She says, "What I do is fine because I do it for all women who suffer violence." In 2003, she was falsely accused by two women (mother and daughter) of adultery. The punishment in her rural indigenous village included being held down and having chili paste applied to her genitals, causing injury. The activist, advised by the human rights commission of the state of Hidalgo,