Northside in Gallup in McKinley County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Emma Estrada (1933-1997)
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Parteras of New Mexico
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 12, 2023
1. Emma Estrada (1933-1997) side of marker
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.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
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. It is on Joseph M Montoya Boulevard (State Road 609) 0.2
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s San Juan Basin. It is also in the American Southwest, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Navajo Code Talkers (approx. Ύ mile away); CN Cotton Warehouse (approx. Ύ mile away); Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial (approx. Ύ mile away); Kitchen's Opera House (approx. Ύ 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 Mexicos 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.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 12, 2023
2. Parteras of New Mexico side of marker
Additional keywords. Emma Estrada (1933-1997) / Parteras of New Mexico
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 August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 429 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 17, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
