Rigoberta Menchú

Full Name: Rigoberta Menchú Tum
Profession: Indigenous Rights Activist, Feminist and Nobel Laureate

Biography: Rigoberta Menchú is a K'iche' Indigenous woman from Guatemala who gained international prominence as a human rights activist. She rose to prominence in the early 1980s when she began speaking out about the injustices faced by her community during the Guatemalan Civil War, which lasted from 1960 to 1996.

Menchú specifically highlighted the violence and atrocities committed by the Guatemalan military against Indigenous communities. Her family suffered heavily during this period, losing members to the violence.

Eventually she met the anthropologist Elizabeth Burgos, who helped her compile her life story into the book "I, Rigoberta Menchú," published in 1983. The book brought global attention to the plight of Indigenous peoples in Guatemala and was translated into more than a dozen languages. It also drew controversy, however, for alleged inaccuracies, which Menchú later addressed.

In 1992, Menchú received the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in promoting Indigenous rights and social justice, making her the first Indigenous person and the youngest laureate to receive the prize at that time. The recognition allowed her to advocate for Indigenous rights at ever larger forums, including the United Nations.

Menchú has been involved in various capacities in the struggle for Indigenous rights and women's rights, including serving as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and even running for the presidency of Guatemala in 2007 and 2011. She has also founded the first Indigenous Guatemalan political party, Winaq.

Born: January 9, 1959
Birthplace: Laj Chimel, Quiché, Guatemala
Age: 65 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Dog
Star Sign: Capricorn