Behind the Name…
Ever since I was a young kid I’ve been obsessed with butterflies. I mean, how could I not? They’re amazing. When I was about 8 or so my family finally clued me in on the fact that the great-grandmother I was named after also loved butterflies. So much, that she opened a couple restaurants in downtown Sacramento called La Mariposa, or in english – The Butterfly. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, a synchronicity, or genetics, but it’s a fact that I love and have always clung to.
The butterfly symbolizes transformation. Butterflies cycle from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, then emerge as a beautiful, delicate, and colorful butterfly which then goes on to lay eggs and start the whole cycle over again. Undergoing metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly is an intense process where the body is broken down and put back together again to form something new. You can see why the butterfly is the symbol of transformation.
In 2020 much like everyone else, I began my own metamorphosis and lemme tell ya, it was intense and lasted about 4 years until I was ready to emerge as a butterfly only recently. But now here I am, ready to fly with my brand new colorful wings and spread good vibes.
After being inspired to start a supportive matriarchal community group by some friends and family, the name for it came to me one night clear as day – La Mariposa League, named after my great-grandma’s restaurants. It’s perfect because the whole spirit of La Mariposa League is to bring back the matriarchal vibes that my great-grandma and grandma (her daughter) were known to bring, and the idea to do this only came up after an intense season of transformation in my own life – like the butterfly.