History:

In 1991, a small group of women from the Mesilla Valley and two Sisters of Mercy began meeting to understand the issues facing women living on the border. The group found that community members had two primary needs:

• To overcome social isolation by learning English
• To create a safe, welcoming place for local women to call their own

Property was purchased with help from the Sisters of Mercy and together the group remodeled a two-car garage to create the original Center in Anthony, NM. The Women's Intercultural Center officially opened its doors in 1993.

Even in this first endeavor, the empowering character of the Center was evident. As is common with most Center initiatives, skills acquired in the completion of one project create a foundation for other endeavors. In this instance, the carpentry skills that participants learned while renovating an aging garage catalyzed the creation of the Mujeres Unidas cooperative, through which members made futons and mattresses for sale; this innovative cooperative still exists and now specializes in fabric production and tailoring.

Because the Center's services expanded so dramatically, the organization's need for space also increased. To meet this need, the “Educational Construction Project”, which was launched in 2001, became one of the Center's most successful and grand initiatives. The Project combined jobs and skills training with community education on alternative construction methods. After a year of work, local women completed a beautiful 7,000 sq. ft. building. The components of this eco-friendly addition include more than 2,500 recycled tires and rammed earth.

The Center's three-pronged approach to service intertwines learning opportunities, economic development options, and relationship building with the larger community for purposes of mutual consciousness-raising. Leadership development is also incorporated into all of the organization's programs. Throughout the years, the Center has received numerous awards for various aspects of its work.

A Chronology

The Beginning:

~The Women's Intercultural Center was initiated by a group of women from the Anthony, New Mexico/Texas area and two Sisters of Mercy.
~ With financial help from the Sisters of Mercy and the New Mexico Department of Health, the women purchased property in Anthony and created their Center. A local contractor taught the women basic skills, and together they remodeled the 2-car garage, breaking through walls, putting in doors and windows, plastering, tiling and painting.
~ In November, 1993, the Women’s Intercultural Center, Inc. opened its doors to women living in the Mesilla Valley as a New Mexico 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Sister Kathleen Erickson and Sister Camilla Verret, members of the founding group, were co-directors and led Center operations with a volunteer Coordinating Committee made up of local women.
~ After English classes, self-esteem and personal growth discussions began. Finding ways for women to augment their family income was one of the first major projects of the Center.

An Economic Alternative- The Mujeres Unidas Women's Co-op

~In March, 1994 several Center women, assisted by the FEMAP Organization from Cd Juarez MX, formed a small "community bank"; the goals were to provide a revolving mini-loan fund and the skills needed to start micro-enterprises.
~By May 1, 1995 the community bank evolved into Mujeres Unidas Cooperative. The women applied the carpentry skills acquired during the remodeling of the old garage to make sturdy wooden futons and Adirondack chairs; women with sewing skills made the futon mattresses, chair pads, and other fabric products.
~The Women's Intercultural Center assisted the members of the cooperative in opening and operating a store, first in Las Cruces, and then on Main Street in Anthony, TX.
~In 1997, the Mujeres Unidas Cooperative was recognized by the New Mexico Community Foundation and honored by a "Community Luminaria" award.
~As time has gone by, the women have shifted their focus solely to sewing because of the difficulty and expense of shipping large furniture. Products for sale include a variety of cloth conference bags, purses, aprons, and greeting cards.

Women's Center Workshop and Gallery

~By May 1999, space in the Anthony store included art, crafts, carpentry and sewing classes, providing students with the option to sell their product. This became known as the Women's Center Workshop and Gallery and continues today on Center property as part of the economic development initiatives of the organization.
~The members of Mujeres Unidas Co-op and Center students have become women united in an effort to help themselves economically through respect for the individual and the worker, artistry, skills, good business management, and more.

Expansion Since Then . . .

~Staff has grown to between 9 and 13 people, and several of the women in the original participant group are now staff members.
~Over 300 persons are served each year. Programs have expanded to include an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring program, skills training programs in carpentry, sewing, and computer skills, and numerous creative learning experiences including visual arts, healing arts, cooking and nutrition, programs for personal growth and leadership development, and more. Center members are involved in planning, implementation and evaluation of all programs; Center services are based upon identified needs and interests of the women. The Border Awareness Experience immersion program, offered approximately ten times a year to groups from throughout the U.S., is an educational program in which Center women are also involved.
~In 2000, the Board of Directors and staff decided to expand the Center. Construction began in 2001, using the used-tire and rammed earth method, incorporating a respect for the environment with a desire to educate others about construction alternatives. This became our Educational Construction Project, combining community education, jobs and skills training and resulting in an almost 7,000 square foot earth-friendly building that is quickly becoming a landmark in the area.
~On September 15, 2002 the new facility was inaugurated with an Open House and Blessing Ceremony.
~Economic Development for women of the area is an important focus for the future. The expansion includes an art studio / carpentry workshop, sewing room, a small Healing Arts center with two massage rooms, a baby-sitting room, a shop for display of products, and large gathering space with adjacent commercial kitchen. This space is projected to provide new options for earned income both for the Center and the women of the area. In addition to the sewing business, possibilities include a woman’s tiling business, catering, art exhibits, day-care provider training, the continued sale of student art and carpentry products, and more. On-going skills training, business & marketing classes and production are anticipated as a part of this project.