For decades, many girls exchanged school and toys for warehouses and tomato boxes to build a future and be able to afford a roof over their heads under which to sleep.
The history of Gran Canaria would not be understood without its tomato farmers, who for decades supported many families on the island, providing work for several generations. From collection to delivery, the work chain included various tasks that required a young workforce willing to be in the field from dawn to dusk.
That is why one of the main pillars of the tomato industry were the young Gran Canarian women, who came to the tomato growers from any point on the island to get to work packaging tomatoes, one of the most important processes in the tomato industry.
The main motivation that moved these young women to the tomato growers on the island was to help their families and contribute financially at home and even, on many occasions, they simply sought access to the cuarterías to have a roof under which to sleep.
The working conditions for these young women were not the best; They arrived from different parts of Gran Canaria, although the vast majority of times they were girls born in rural environments and without access to education. The salary did not compensate for the long hours of work, picking tomatoes in the morning and packing them in the afternoon, and, in addition, many of them had to take care of their children while they carried out their tasks in the field.
The hard work of these young women became a hallmark of the Canarian woman, who since she was a child packed her bags to dedicate herself to life in the countryside and be able to support her family. A true example of empowerment that has ended up being part of the history of the archipelago.
