"Using Maria Elena Moyano's own words, Diana Miloslavich Tupac has re-created the voice of the martyred Peruvian activist." "In part 1 of this work, Moyano traces the struggle of poor women in Peru and how they developed survival organizations such as the Vaso de Leche (Glass of Milk) and the communal kitchen feeding program to cope with poverty made worse by government austerity adjustments.".

"In part 2, Moyano relates the hardships of her impoverished childhood and describes the difficulties of achieving an education. She speaks also of her marriage and of childbirth, of the discrimination she faced, and of her gradual and steady rise to positions of authority within the popular women's movement and as deputy mayor and spokesperson for the 300,000 people of Villa El Salvador, a Lima barrio."--BOOK JACKET.