2021

Leydy Pech is an Indigenous woman from the Yucatán Peninsula in Hopelchén, Mexico. As an Indigenous Maya, Leydy devoted herself to beekeeping; it was a large tradition and importance in her culture. In 2012, Mexico granted permits to chemical agriculture, which caused the death and disappearance of bees. Leydy united other Indigenous people, environmentalists, and beekeepers to stop the destruction of bees. Leydy, with their help, filed a lawsuit. They launched awareness campaigns and received a lot of public support. The Mayan people and Leydy won and they continue to sue illegal plantations affecting communities like their own. She is a very important individual we all shall aspire to be.