From the colonial period to the present day, women across the Caribbean and Latin America were an intrinsic part of the advancement of society and helped determine the course of history. highlights their varied and important roles over five centuries of time, providing geographical breadth and ethnic diversity to the series. Women's roles are the focus of all six chapters, covering themes that include religion, family, law, politics, culture, and labor. Each section provides specific examples of real-life women throughout history, providing readers with an overview of Latin American women's history that pays special attention to continuity across regions and variances over time and geography.