Northside in Gallup in McKinley County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Emma Estrada (1933-1997) / Parteras of New Mexico

Emma Estrada (1933-1997) side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 12, 2023

1. Emma Estrada (1933-1997) side of marker

Inscription. Emma Estrada (1933-1997) Emma Estrada was a partera, or midwife, for over thirty years. She delivered more than seven hundred babies during an era when mothers in rural, sparsely populated areas had no choice but to deliver at home. She became the first licensed partera in New Mexico, and worked with doctors to assure the best medical care. She is remembered for her quiet confidence and devotion.

Parteras of New Mexico Historically, the practice of midwifery was essential to the birthing process in New Mexico. In this large, mostly rural state with few doctors, midwives, called parteras in Spanish, have helped women give birth to thousands of babies. When the University of New Mexico's medical school opened in 1961, the State began to train and certify midwives. Today, licensed midwives frequently work with doctors and hospitals.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 35° 32.085′ N, 108° 43.755′ W. Marker is in Gallup, New Mexico, in McKinley County. It is in Northside. Marker is on Joseph M Montoya Boulevard (State Road 609) 0.2 miles east of Marguerite Franco Drive, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in We the People

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Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 Joseph M Montoya Blvd, Gallup NM 87301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Navajo Code Talkers (approx. ¾ mile away); CN Cotton Warehouse (approx. ¾ mile away); Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial (approx. ¾ mile away); Kitchen's Opera House (approx. ¾ mile away); Historic Buildings (approx. 0.8 miles away); Gallup's Brief History (approx. 0.8 miles away); Main Street USA (approx. 0.8 miles away); Balloon Rally (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gallup.

Also see . . .
1. Emma Estrada, Parteras of New Mexico. A traditional partera (midwife), her willingness to work closely with the medical profession and become licensed was unique. Estrada and others like her were the incentive for a program to formally train, qualify, and license midwives at the University of New Mexico’s School of Nursing. (New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program) (Submitted on November 17, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Emma Perez de Estrada: Gallup's Partera-Curandera. Whenever I see a newborn baby, I think of my mother. Her name was Emma Perez de Estrada, and she was a partera midwife, a woman who helps other women in childbirth. But to write the story

<i>Parteras</i> of New Mexico side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 12, 2023

2. Parteras of New Mexico side of marker

about her, I must begin by telling you about the mysterious tan metal suitcase my siblings and I called her “baby bag”. (Margaret Estrada, Gallup Journey Magazine, October 2018; via Issuu) (Submitted on November 17, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Additional keywords. Emma Estrada (1933-1997) / Parteras of New Mexico

Emma Estrada (1933-1997) / <i>Parteras</i> of New Mexico Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 12, 2023

3. Emma Estrada (1933-1997) / Parteras of New Mexico Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 17, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.