Women in mariachi: personal notes and reflections

Doña Rosa Quirino, considered the first female mariachi in Mexico

When we think of mariachi, the most common image is that of a group of men in charro suits. However, history reveals that women have always been present in this tradition, although for a long time they were denied recognition. The path of women in mariachi is marked by resilience, courage, and passion, and today they are recognized as an essential part of the evolution of this musical genre.

The first woman to break the mold was Doña Rosa Quirino, originally from Tepic, Nayarit, born in 1891. At the age of 12, she was already performing as a "mariachera" in her region, becoming the first documented female mariachi in Mexico. Her legacy opened doors at a time when this genre was seen exclusively as a male domain.

In the 1950s, history took a decisive turn. In 1952, Lupita Morales founded Mariachi Femenil Estrellas de México in Mexico City. It was the first all-female group to achieve international fame. They performed on prestigious stages such as the Million Dollar in Los Angeles and the Puerto Rico Theater in New York, showing the world that women could play violins, trumpets, guitarrón, and vihuela with equal strength and mastery.

This was a fundamental step not only for mariachi, but for Mexican music in general: a clear message that talent has no gender.

During that same decade, other female groups such as Las Coronelas and Las Adelitas also emerged, contributing to the visibility of women within this genre. Although they faced resistance and inequalities, their presence sowed the seeds for a broader cultural change.

Later, groups such as Mariachi Las Perlitas Tapatías in Guadalajara and Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles in the United States consolidated female participation, opening spaces in international festivals and reaching audiences previously reserved for male mariachis.

The female voice that transformed mariachi

We cannot forget the influence of great singers who, although not always part of an ensemble, gave mariachi its identity with their voices: Lola Beltrán, Amalia Mendoza, Lucha Villa, Flor Silvestre, among many others. They transformed ranchera music into a vehicle for feminine expression, charged with strength, pain, pride, tenderness, and, in a way, empowerment.

Today, mariachi festivals in Mexico and abroad showcase a new reality: women not only as performers, but also as directors, composers, and group leaders. It's no longer about proving that "it can be done," but about reclaiming a legitimate space that has always belonged to us.

Conclusion: A future with a woman's voice

The role of women in the history of mariachi has gone from invisibility to recognition. From Doña Rosa Quirino to current female groups and soloists like Majo Aguilar, every step has been and continues to be an act of courage.

Today we can affirm that mariachi has a woman's voice, and that voice will continue to resonate powerfully on the stages of Mexico and the world.

References

El Universal. “El primer mariachi femenil mexicano que alcanzó fama internacional”. 13 de junio de 2021. Disponible en: https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/opinion/mochilazo-en-el-tiempo/el-primer-mariachi-femenil-mexicano-que-alcanzo-fama-internacional

México Desconocido. “Doña Rosa Quirino: la primera mujer mariachi”. s.f. Disponible en: https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/dona-rosa-quirino.html

Mujeres en el Mariachi. “México: historia cultural de las primeras mujeres mariachis”. s.f. Disponible en: https://www.mujeresenelmariachi.com/mexico

Más de México. “Las primeras mujeres mariachis en la historia de México”. 8 de septiembre de 2020. Disponible en: https://masdemx.com/primeros-mariachis-mujeres-historia-mexico/

MXC: Cultura y Sociedad. “Historia cultural de las primeras mujeres mariachis”. 8 de septiembre de 2020. Disponible en: https://mxc.com.mx/2020/09/08/historia-cultural-de-las-primeras-mujeres-mariachis/

OEM – El Sol de Hermosillo. “Mariachi Las Coronelas: la única agrupación de mujeres en México”. 19 de junio de 2000. Disponible en: https://oem.com.mx/elsoldehermosillo/tendencias/mariachi-las-coronelas-las-unica-agrupacion-de-mujeres-en-mexico-19062000