The Changueras of Mazatlán

March is the month to commemorate women! The work and effort that all women make every day around the world. Today we will dedicate this space to the changueras from Mazatlán. Because Lent is also the perfect season to enjoy and learn more about local fish and seafood. The Union of Shrimpers of Mazatlán was founded about 43 years ago. It is an association made up of 24 women, already in the second or third generation of family work. They used to buy shrimp directly from the puddles with the fishermen, whose bag of this precious animal is called chango, and from there they took their name. At first, they had a president as the leader of the association and sold at the main market of Mazatlán, from where they were located in the second square of the downtown area. Today, the changueras are all shrimpers, with their own farms, and are firmly established in their block, from 5 am to 7 pm. They sell around 6 tons of the best product from the Pacific every day, including sea, farm, and river shrimp, crabs, lobsters, callos, octopus, marlin, tuna, and other delicious Sinaloan products like seafood sauces. The parade among Mazatlecas and distributors begins every dawn. Everyone goes with the Changueras. La Chuyita, Maria del Jesús Beltran Flores, is the current president of the Union. She and her sister, Norma Leticia Bletran Flores, oversee the compliance of the association's board, such as respect for the customer, standardized prices, and even the public image of all the women at the forefront of the businesses. This duo joined the business through their mother, who had a restaurant and sold breakfasts and meals to the Changueras. A must-stop in Mexico, and my favorite corner jewel!