For Lilian Rosero, the iraca palm is the most beautiful flower created by God because, throughout their lives, it has provided sustenance to the craftswomen, given them jobs, nimbleness to their hands, fostered their creativity, and cultivated their wisdom. She is deeply in love with her craft and the group she is part of. Her heart, big enough to motivate her to lead a life dedicated to service, also whispers poems inspired by her beloved craft: “When the morning is born, I sit with love in my soul to weave the straws of the hat, the birds’ song coordinates my movement, a great joy that I instantly feel.” And this is not a new love. Since she was a child, she was captivated by the words of her mother, María Clemencia Bravo, who invested her efforts into teaching her to weave well and transmit the wisdom of their lineage.

Lilian Rosero is a faithful devotee of her craft and the Virgin of the Rosary, the quintessential artisan mother. Day by day, the Virgin extends her blessings over the hat weavers of Sandoná who, in return, keep the tradition alive by weaving in iraca or, as they call it, toquilla straw. For over a century, the women of the town and its surroundings have used their hands like a pair of needles to make hats that not only cover the heads of their families and clients but also represent an important part of the local economy.

An example of her devotion to the craft is her loving commitment to the Women’s Artisan Cooperative of Sandoná, to which she dedicates her days and efforts. Before founding the Cooperative in 1985, there was very little that craftswomen could achieve on their own against exploitation, the precariousness of their work, and the opposition of their husbands to artisanal work. Fortunately, they joined hands, efforts, and souls to build this meeting point of mutual support. After years of service, Lilian affirms that the most valuable asset of the company are the women who make it up. She refers to all of them as her sisters because she knows that together they have formed a daily training school from which they support the cultural heritage of their land. She herself has served as the administrator of their store, as well as the accountant and inventory manager, organizing training sessions and their participation in fairs. 36 women are directly associated with the Cooperative, but a long chain of people benefits from their efforts, from the iraca growers in Linares, Nariño, to the families of the weavers who help them complete their production, and all the young apprentices of the craft. It has been a hard labor of sacrifices and dedication, but Lilian has remained steadfast, encouraged by the immense love she carries within. For her, the reward is clear: despite not having gone to university, she has acquired the necessary knowledge to run a business hand in hand with the Cooperative, and thus contribute her bit in the struggle of the women weavers of Sandoná.