Students Create Día de los Muertos Altar Honouring Women Who Made History 

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, St. Lawrence students in the Spanish III class created a traditional Mexican Day of the Dead altar as part of their exploration of Hispanic cultures and traditions. The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican tradition that celebrates the lives and memories of loved ones who have passed away. Altars are often decorated with photographs and meaningful objects to honour those who are no longer with us.

This year, the students chose the theme “Women Who Made History,” featuring portraits of six influential women whose contributions have left a lasting impact on society. 

The altar honours: 

• Frida Kahlo (1907-1954): A Mexican painter known for expressing her life experiences and emotions through art. She became a global feminist icon, transforming personal struggles into powerful works of art. 

• Thérèse Casgrain (1896-1981): A Québec feminist activist who championed women’s rights and played a key role in the fight for women’s suffrage in Québec, achieved in 1940. 

• Eva Perón (1919-1952): An Argentine political figure who advocated for workers’ rights and women’s suffrage, helping reshape women’s role in politics. 

• The Mirabal sisters (Patria, 1924-1960; Minerva, 1926-1960; María Teresa, 1935-1960): Three Dominican sisters who resisted Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship and fought for freedom and human rights. 

• Bartolina Sisa (1750-1782): An Aymara Indigenous leader from Bolivia who fought against Spanish colonial rule and defended Indigenous communities. 

• Totó la Momposina (1940-2026): A Colombian singer and dancer celebrated as the “Queen of Cumbia.” She helped preserve traditional Colombian folk music and its rich blend of African and Indigenous influences. 

The altar will be on display until November 4th. Members of the St. Lawrence community are invited to stop by, discover the stories behind these remarkable women and learn more about this meaningful Mexican tradition.

Congratulations to Éloïse Guay, Léonie Fournier, Emmanuelle Coulombe, Coralie Béchard, Alexandra Gagnon, Safira Moffet, Luisa Maria Sanchez Lamprea and Charles Pichette for your hard work and thoughtful tribute!