In Mexico, as in several countries around the world, there is a labor gap in which the professional development of women is limited by low salaries, little recognition and lack of opportunities. Fortunately, all is not lost, and Dr. Raquel Hurtado Ortiz, a proudly Mexican woman, knows that well and is currently in charge of the National Collection of Microorganism Cultures at the Pasteur Institute, in Paris, France.
Her story motivates the community of women scientists, who have had to try twice as hard to achieve their goals but who are enveloped in satisfaction when they see their achievements. Next we will tell you about her, because her path to success was more full of thorns than rose petals.
Although Dr. Raquel has a prestigious position in the most important institution in Paris, which contributed to the discovery of medicines and cures against diphtheria, tetanus, tuberculosis, polio and is the first laboratory that managed to isolate HIV, its way to ascent was full of stumbling blocks.
In Mexico, the doctor and researcher could not find a position that suited her profile. After a long search, he accepted a teaching job, which was not paying well, earning less than five dollars a day, did not have the necessary benefits and there were no opportunities for growth. Sadly, he had to accept what was offered, devaluing his knowledge and efforts.
At that moment he offered me the hour at 100 pesos. I tried to negotiate and she said ‘no, the competition is very strong. There are many people looking for work and I know what is paid in public universities. ‘ At that time she had power and justified her standards with ‘if you don’t want to, there is someone else who will want the position’ and even for less. I was a bit new, I didn’t think about it so much and I accepted. In that school they paid me in cash, they didn’t give me benefits, or insurance, or IMSS. Any. They paid me in an envelope, vacations were not paid, the logic is you don’t work, you don’t have to be paid. If one was five or ten minutes late, they deducted the corresponding to the minutes. I concentrated on finishing my doctoral thesis.
Raquel is a Bacteriologist Chemistry Parasitologist graduated from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN). In Mexico, the almost five dollars a day that he received for having studied five years of career, two years of Master of Science with a specialty in Immunology, at the National School of Biological Sciences of the IPN, and a Doctorate in Sciences that was also with a specialty in Immunology they were barely enough to live with dignity.
After a time of working under unworthy conditions and reflecting on his worth as a person, he made the decision to leave the country to settle in France. Here he got a job at the Pasteur Institute. In addition, his bosses noted his intellectual and leadership abilities and gave him the opportunity to be responsible for a biobank. Now she is a prestigious doctor in France, a place where she receives all the support, recognition and opportunities that she unfortunately did not find in her native country, which gave her the impetus to seek an opportunity outside the mental and border limits.
Her story of struggle and effort represents thousands of women who are in the same situation and who will not give up until they reach their goals.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
