For her first twelve years, Alida thought weaving was something that she, her mother and grandmother did to earn a living. Then she had an insight: weaving is art form. She organized women to sell weaving as art—a great success until an earthquake devastated the nation and no tourists came to buy. So she exported the weaving, sold it on cruise ships, and ultimately launched an indigenous textile museum to preserve it. She’s considering running for public office; don’t be surprised if she wins.

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