Born: 1971 (La Esperanza, Honduras)
Died: 2016
Biography:
Berta Isabel Cáceres Flores (4 March 1971 2 March 2016) was a Honduran (Lenca) environmental activist, indigenous leader, and co-founder and coordinator of the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH). She was born into the Lenca people in La Esperanza, Honduras, the predominant indigenous group in southwestern Honduras. Growing up in the 1970s during a time of civil unrest and violence in Central America, Berta experienced firsthand the challenges faced by her community.
Berta’s mother, Austra Bertha Flores Lopez, was a role model of humanitarianism. As a midwife, she assisted in thousands of natural births in the Honduran countryside. She was also a social activist who took in and cared for refugees from El Salvador. Austra Flores’s dedication to helping others inspired Berta and shaped her values and beliefs.
In addition to her mother’s influence, Berta’s upbringing in La Esperanza exposed her to the harsh realities of social inequality and environmental degradation. These experiences fueled her passion for advocating for the rights of indigenous communities and protecting the environment.
After completing her education at a local university, where she studied education and graduated with a teaching qualification, Berta embarked on her journey as an activist. She found support and guidance from Fr. Ismael Moreno, the director of Radio Progreso, a community radio station that championed social justice causes. This partnership would prove to be instrumental in Berta’s future endeavors.
In 1993, Berta co-founded the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), an organization dedicated to defending the rights of indigenous communities and protecting their ancestral lands. Under Berta’s leadership, COPINH played a vital role in advocating for the rights and wellbeing of indigenous peoples, challenging harmful development projects, and promoting sustainable alternatives.
One of Berta’s most notable achievements was her grassroots campaign against the Agua Zarca Dam, a project that threatened the sacred Río Gualcarque and the livelihoods of the Lenca community. Her campaign successfully pressured the world’s largest dam builder to pull out of the project, earning her the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2015. This recognition further elevated Berta’s profile as a fierce and effective advocate for environmental justice.
However, Berta’s courageous fight for indigenous rights and environmental justice came at a great personal cost. She faced constant threats and harassment throughout her life. Tragically, on 2 March 2016, Berta was assassinated in her home by armed intruders. Her murder sent shockwaves through Honduras and the international community, sparking outrage and raising awareness about the dangers faced by activists fighting for justice and sustainability.
Berta’s legacy continues to inspire and mobilize countless individuals and organizations worldwide. Her life and work serve as a reminder of the importance of defending the rights of indigenous peoples, protecting the environment, and advocating for social justice. Berta’s unwavering dedication and sacrifice make her a central figure in women’s history, embodying the strength, resilience, and determination necessary to create lasting change.
Awards:
– Goldman Environmental Prize (2015)