Meet Las Mujeres De Manzo
Four leaders whose collective work spans decades of advocacy, teaching, organizing, and building community infrastructure.
The Mujeres de Manzo
Guadalupe Castillo
Guadalupe “Lupe” Castillo has been a human rights activist, historian, and educator in Tucson for more than five decades. As Faculty Emeritus at Pima Community College, she has played a pivotal role in advancing Mexican American Studies and preserving local histories that might otherwise be overlooked. Her scholarship and activism are deeply intertwined, grounded in documenting community stories while actively participating in movements for change.
Lupe’s lifelong work connects civil rights history to present-day struggles. Through teaching, public speaking, and organizing, she has helped generations understand the importance of cultural memory, community resilience, and sustained advocacy in shaping a more just society.civil liberties at both local and national levels.
Public Defender • Community Organizer
Margo Cowan
Margo Cowan’s work bridges legal defense and grassroots activism. As a longtime public defender and immigration advocate, she has dedicated her career to supporting migrants navigating complex legal systems. Her involvement in community legal clinics and cross-border justice initiatives has provided practical, life-saving assistance to countless individuals and families.
Margo’s approach combines legal skill with hands-on organizing. She has helped build networks that respond to changing border enforcement realities while keeping community dignity at the center. Her work reflects a belief that justice is not abstract—it must be lived, protected, and made accessible.the College of Humanities Chatfield Impact Award; in Spring 2022 she received the UA’s Koffler Prize for her outreach work.
Public Defense Attorney • Immigrant Rights Advocate
Isabel Garcia
Isabel Garcia has spent decades at the forefront of immigrant and human rights advocacy in Southern Arizona. As co-founder of Coalición de Derechos Humanos and former Chief Public Defender of Pima County, she built a career centered on defending marginalized communities and challenging unjust systems. Her legal work and public voice have shaped conversations around border policy, immigration enforcement, and civil liberties at both local and national levels.
Beyond the courtroom, Isabel has been a powerful educator and organizer—speaking widely, mentoring advocates, and helping build sustained community movements. Her leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to justice, grounded in both legal expertise and deep ties to the communities she serves.
Public Defender • Community Organizer
Raquel Rubio-Goldsmith
Raquel Rubio-Goldsmith is a historian and scholar whose work examines migration, border policy, and human rights. As Co-Director of the Binational Migration Institute at the University of Arizona and Founding Faculty Emeritus at Pima Community College, she has combined academic research with community engagement for decades. Her work has documented the human consequences of border enforcement policies and elevated the voices of affected communities.
Raquel’s scholarship extends beyond the university. Through public research projects, collaborations, and advocacy, she has helped shape how migration and border issues are understood both regionally and nationally. Her work exemplifies how research, when rooted in community, can become a tool for justice.
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