were working hard but did not have equal rights. They were submissive to men and remained silent when men were around. Furthermore, women could not vote and did not have a voice in the law. Even so, Eufrosina ran for mayor of Santa María Quiegolani. This idea was revolutionary since the local political power was traditionally exclusively in the hands of men, and Eufrosina would have been the first female municipal president of Santa María Quiegoliani. It was a difficult struggle; most people didn't want a woman in the government and spread rumors, ridiculed and threatened her. Usos y Costumbres Law In 2007 she was eventually allowed in the election because the ruling family thought no one in town would dare to violate the tradition and vote for a woman. To everybody's surprise Eufrosina Cruz won the election (although the former authorities suggest otherwise). However, this victory was not accepted, and the election was annulled by the male authorities of the village. Votes for Cruz and her application for mayor were discarded. The former mayor of the municipality said "women do not exist here" and "women were created to serve men, to cook and care for children, but not to govern." The indigenous authority based their reason for this on oral traditions that said that women are not allowed in political positions in the community. This was in a way valid, since the usos y costumbres (uses and customs) law in the Oaxacan constitution states that indigenous communities can elect and form parties according to their own traditions and customs. Oaxaca is the only state with this law, which is meant to respect the democratic practices of indigenous communities and protect their traditions. The communal authority is in this case stronger than the overall state politics. 418 out of 570 indigenous municipal laws are based on the usos y costumbres law; in 95 of these communities women did not have a voice or vote and were not permitted to make decisions for their community. Successes of Eufrosina Cruz Eufrosina Cruz did not give up; instead, she addressed human rights organizations and state authorities. The matter was taken seriously, and she gained national recognition. As a consequence, on January 18, 2008, for the first time, a former governor visited Eufrosina Cruz's small community, to demand that women should be able to have better lives. In February of 2008 Cruz filed a