Shayai Lucero

Board Treasurer

Shayai Lucero was born and raised on the reservations of the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna. Her parents are Stanley and Cecelia Lucero. Her brothers are Haitsi and the late Payadyamu. She is the wife of Aaron Fry and the mother to two children, Kaweshchima and Maityaitsa. She is of the Roadrunner clan for her mother and a Turkey Child for her father.
In 2008, Shayai graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. It took Shayai 16 years from her high school graduation to finish college, but during that time she was Miss Indian World (1997), worked for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council, and as the Tribal Liaison for Native Visions (a Native American media arts company). Upon graduating from college, Shayai became an entrepreneur with the purchase of a floral shop on the Pueblo of Laguna reservation. In 2011, Shayai was recognized as one of "40 Under 40" by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.
Shayai is a lifelong student of the traditional Pueblo healing methods. She began studying Pueblo traditional medicinal plants when she was 13 years old. In 2005, she received her Certificate in Traditional Mexican Healing. The program was a joint certification with La Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos, el Centro de Desarrollo Humano hacia la Communidad, A.C. and the University of New Mexico. When asked to treat clients, Shayai has integrated Curanderismo Medicine with traditional Pueblo healing.
In 2016, Shayai was selected as a "Nominated Changemaker" to attend the United State of Women Summit hosted by The Obama White House. She was one of 49 Native American women out of 5000+ participants. In 2017, Shayai was nominated by Native America Calling producers to become a TEDxABQ speaker for the Main Event. Her speech/video is available online where she discusses how she incorporates traditional Pueblo teachings into issues of patience and tolerance.
Shayai is not only the owner of Earth & Sky Floral Designs, but she also learned to create floral designs. For the past five years, Shayai has been the main floral designer at Earth & Sky. She has learned floral design elements and techniques to create her own quirky floral style that has recently been recognized by the international floral industry. She received the recognition for a wedding bouquet she created.
Shayai Lucero has been very lucky to have life experiences that most people have not had. From growing up on a federal Indian reservation to being an entrepreneur, she has learned how to adapt and change with each situation. With each change, a sense of tolerance and patience has been developed. Most recently in February 2019, she was invited to provide testimony at the United States Capitol at the invitation of the Small Business Majority and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) on rural business entrepreneurship. She talked about the lack of access to capital, internet/broadband problems, rural delivery/infrastructure and the harsh realities of medical care and insurance when you’re a small business owner.
Shayai has not had the easiest life, but she makes it look easy. She wants to engage the public by talking about how she’s incorporated traditional Pueblo lessons, teachings and beliefs, with Curanderismo, with her travels, with her experience as an entrepreneur, as a scientist, a healer, a LGBTIQ2S ally, daughter, mother, sister and friend… in developing a unique sense of tolerance that is needed in society today.

Jennifer Williams
RN, BSN, CNM, MSN

Board President

She has been a certified nurse midwife since 2003 and has been involved in birth since 1997. She grew up in the Southwest and is committed to birth justice, ensuring women's autonomy and improving access to quality prenatal care. She lives in Albuquerque with her spouse and four children, who are all enrolled members of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Ms. Williams received her undergraduate BSN degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in 1999 and her midwifery education from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 2003. She is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives and is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. Currently Ms. Williams is a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) with Women’s Specialists of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

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Marinah V. Farrell
Midwife, CPM

Board Member

Politics and traditional medicine are what led Marinah to midwifery, and she has a firm commitment to both. Marinah has been an active board director, public speaker and mentor on national and local non-profit organizations, has worked in healthcare facilities for international NGOs, in free-standing birth centers in the U.S and Mexico, and has been the owner of a long standing homebirth practice in Arizona.
Currently, Marinah is founding director of Parteras de Maiz, focused on the issue of preservation of cultural midwifery and dignity for birthworkers worldwide, Organizational Director with Changing Woman Initiative and the Network Coordinator for the Good Birth for All Network, a maternal health leader network and podcast.
Marinah strives to uphold ancestral knowledge and always bridge traditional Mexican and Indigenous healing with all aspects of her work. 

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Changing Woman Initiative
460 Saint Michaels Dr. Ste 804,
​Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-930-5641
For More Info Contact:
​
Office Manager
Kansas K. Begaye
k.begaye@changingwomaninitiative.org 

Executive Director
Nicolle Gonzales
NGonzales@changingwomaninitiative.org

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