The 2017 minimum wage in Mexico is 88.36 pesos ($4.70 USD). California's minimum wage is $11.00 hourly while a full time minimum wage worker in Mexico gets paid 88.36 pesos ($4.70 USD) daily. Regardless of whether the US Dollar is worth more than the Mexican Peso, the minimum wage in Mexico is not enough to sustain a family.

​

This past December, I took a trip to Sonora, Mexico and took note at how artistic my family members are. They take advantage of their natural talents to make shoes, earrings, floral arrangements, amongst other artistic objects. However for them, they don't make art because they enjoy it, they make it out of pure necessity.

​

One of my Aunts makes bows. What stood out to me wasn't the objects she made, but the story that derived her to make bows. My Aunt is chief police officer, and although she earns more than minimum wage, she makes hair bows on her free time to supplement her income.

​

There is nothing more I would love to do than to help my family in Mexico. I became moved to use my art education, American privilege, and artistic passion to shed light on the economic issues Mexicans face. I have made over 200 hair bows for sale and pursue to keep making bows to help my family.

​

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

​