Our branch campus in Quito presented the book "Las mujeres indígenas podemos salir adelante. Retratos y relatos de mujeres indígenas universitarias", written by Aurora Iza, María Sol Villagómez, Diana Ávila, Sebastián Granda and José Ignacio Guamán. The book is about the experiences of nine Kichwa women from rural communities in the university and how it has enriched their personal, family, community and professional lives.

The nine women graduated from the intercultural education undergraduate program here at Universidad Politecnica Salesiana.

According to the stories, it was been difficult for them to educate themselves because of their status as indigenous women, because of poverty and exclusion: in addition to having suffered discriminatory practices because of their race and gender. "We need to be better, it is time to reflect and look at education as a tool to defend ourselves from inequality in which women live", said Rocío Simaluisa, from the community of Juigua, San Isidro Cotopaxi.

For Nancy Pupiales from San Clemente de Ibarra community, the key is understanding. "We needed the support of our husbands, children and family to continue our education." Rosita Andrango, congratulated her classmates and said: "you are an example of life and struggle for your communities and family."

UPS peresident Javier Herran stated: "It is an opportunity for women to discover their power, to realize they are capable and stop regretting things or giving up. It is an opportunity to be successful and change reality".

Maria Sol Villagomez, professor and one of the authors of the book, said "in this research we can see the importance of the role of higher education, empowerment, autonomy and emancipation of indigenous women". Ana Maria Narvaez, director of the education undergraduate program, stated: "the book is a pedagogical tool about the permanent interaction between personal and social history according to culture, identity, inclusive education, integral education and interdisciplinary nature"

The event was attended by university officials, professors, students and of course the indigenous women whose stories are presented in the book. This research is the result of one of the projects carried out by the Education and Interculturality Research Group in Quito.