Daughters of Latin America

Spanning time, styles, and traditions, a dazzling collection of essential works from 140 Latine writers, scholars, and activists from across the world.

“Full of heart and wisdom, Daughters of Latin America sheds a brilliant light on Latine and Caribbean women writers across time, space, languages, and genres.”—World Literature Today

Daughters of Latin America collects the intergenerational voices of Latine women, capturing the power, strength, and creativity of these visionary writers, leaders, scholars, and activists—including nearly two dozen Indigenous voices who write in their ancient mother tongues. Several authors featured are translated into English for the first time. Grammy, National Book Award, Cervantes, and Pulitzer Prize winners as well as a Nobel laureate and the next generation of literary voices are among the stars of this essential collection: women whose work inspires and transforms us.

An exciting, eclectic, and expansive time capsule spanning centuries, genres, and geographical, racial, ethnic, national, and linguistic diversity, Daughters of Latin America is divided into thirteen parts representing the thirteen sacred moons of the year. Within its pages are poems from US poet laureate Ada Limón and celebrated poet and visual artist Cecilia Vicuña; lyric essays from New York Times bestselling author Naima Coster, Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, and Guggenheim Fellow Maryse Condé; rousing speeches from renowned feminist Rita Laura Segato and Lenca Indigenous land and water protector Berta Cáceres; and a transcendent Mazatec chant from shaman and poet María Sabina testifying to the power of language as a cure.

More than a collection of writings, Daughters of Latin America is a revindication of genius and ancestral literary inheritance as well as a celebration of the rising voices encouraged and nurtured by those who came before them.