Rigoberta Menchu

Rigoberta Menchu is a human rights activist from Guatemala. She was born in 1959 in a small Mayan village. She fought for the rights of indigenous people in Guatemala during a time of great violence. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992.

Early Life

Menchu grew up in a poor indigenous K'iche' Mayan family. Her family worked on coffee and cotton plantations. She did not learn Spanish until she was a teenager. Many of her family members were killed during Guatemala's civil war.

Human Rights Work

Menchu spoke out against the injustice faced by indigenous people in Guatemala. She fled to Mexico to escape persecution. She wrote a book telling her life story that brought international attention. She won the Nobel Peace Prize at age 33 for her peaceful fight for native rights.

Fun Facts

• Rigoberta Menchu was the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner at the time she received it.
• She learned to speak Spanish, her country's main language, when she was a teenager.
• She used her Nobel Prize money to start a foundation for indigenous rights.

Did You Know?

Rigoberta Menchu ran for president of Guatemala twice. Although she did not win, she inspired many indigenous people to get involved in politics.