What is particularly intriguing about these women is that their fame and success as artisans have seemingly had little impact on their lives as rural, poor women. All work long hours struggling against poverty. All continue, despite their international exposure, to be committed to, and deeply rooted in, the traditional cultural values of their own village communities. Like other Mexican rural women, these artisans continue to spend their resources and energy participating in the annual cycle of religious village festivals. Only one of these women attended primary school for more than one year, and although all are mothers, most are not committed to the value of more education for their offspring.
Education continues to be perceived as valueless activity, particularly for daughters.
Their lives must be understood in the context of their birthplace in Oaxaca, one of the most marginal states in the Mexican Republic preeminently poor, rural and Indian. Oaxaca's women are especially disadvantaged. Yet Oaxaca is also famous for its artisan creativity. The Mexican government has encouraged the production of popular folk art in an effort to develop symbols of national identity, and the expansion of both tourism and an international crafts market have further helped to encourage traditional handicraft activity. The four Aguilar sisters' reputation stems from their father's fame as an artisan and it is said that they each learned their craft from him.