The women-led cooperative, known worldwide as Mujeres del Barro Rojo (women of the red clay), was founded by Macrina Mateo Martinez. As a teenager, Macrina traveled outside her village (which, as a woman, was frowned upon at the time) to find a wider audience and reach new markets, and obtain inspiration to expand upon the traditional designs of previous generations. Her knowledge and experience helped the village and the cooperative thrive, and most certainly kept alive the generations-old tradition of making red clay pottery that continues today.