Yellowstone Times

Cynthia Bejarano, a prominent author on race and feminism, will speak at Montana State University on April 8. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Inspiration Hall within Norm Asbjornson Hall.

Bejarano, a professor at New Mexico State University specializing in gender and sexuality studies, will discuss her co-edited book, “Frontera Madre(hood): Brown Mothers Challenging Oppression and Transborder Violence at the U.S.-Mexico Border.” This lecture is sponsored by several MSU entities including the Office of the President and the Women’s Center. It is free and open to the public.

Originally from southern New Mexico, Bejarano joined New Mexico State's faculty in 2001 after earning her doctoral degree. Her research addresses violence related to immigration and migration, focusing on gender-based violence at the U.S.-Mexico border. Her work spans regions such as El Paso, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and southern New Mexico.

Bejarano has authored other works including “Que Onda: Urban Youth Culture and Border Identity” (2005) and co-edited “Terrorizing Women: Feminicide in the Americas” (2010).

“Bejarano's extensive career in advocating for victims and researching systemic and horrific forms of violence against women and mothers at the U.S.-Mexico border is essential to not only raising awareness but to saving lives,” said Betsy Danforth, director of MSU Women’s Center. Danforth helped organize Bejarano's talk with the President’s Office.

Bejarano also serves as founding principal investigator for NMSU’s College Assistance Migrant Program which aids students with farming backgrounds in accessing higher education. She co-leads “Fuerza Feminista: Intimate Recovery and Memory Archives,” a project documenting feminist movements along the El Paso/Juarez border region.

Additionally, she co-founded Amigos de las Mujeres de Juarez, supporting Mexican feminist groups including families of missing women.

For her contributions both academically and beyond, Bejarano has received numerous accolades such as the Governor’s Award for Outstanding New Mexico Women.

“What really stands out about Bejarano's work is her boots-on-the-ground approach," Danforth noted. "Her commitment to serving as an eyewitness to gender violence while engaging students to become future advocates.”

Further details about Bejarano’s lecture are available at https://www.montana.edu/calendar/events/53483.