Team Carta Blanca, Est. 1952

For nearly seven decades, a group of extraordinary women have slipped on their canary-yellow jerseys and cast giant shadows on the basketball court. They take great pride in their home city of Orizaba, listed among Mexico’s pueblos mágicos or magical towns; aside from its lush, mountainous landscape, cinematic fog, and vibrant architecture in tones of hot pink and lime green—Orizaba is the home of team Carta Blanca, a source of magic all its own.

From the moment it was founded in 1952, Carta Blanca’s players have defied stereotypes about women and sports. Adela Ochoa Garcia, a natural athlete with close-cropped white hair, has played since day one—over 67 years. She remembers a time when women weren’t supposed to wear shorts or ride bicycles, let alone know the adrenaline rush of a basketball soaring from their hands and dropping through the net with a satisfying swish. Good thing the rewards of playing this game have always been worth the obstacles.

Olga Irma Arey Islas, #5: Basketball unites us and we are growing more every day. Even if we get angry at a game or on the court, ultimately we are a team and we support each other. That’s what we’ve always done. Knowing that someone cares about me is really satisfying and comes with a feeling that can’t be explained.

Cecilia Garcia Luna, #10: We’ve known each other for a long time. I’m so happy to be here. And I’m very proud of my teammates, that we’re still active. I hope we can continue for a long time.

María de los Angeles Bautista Ruiz, #4: It’s about coexistence, it’s a pleasure to be with the team—it’s fun.

Olga Irma Arey Islas, #5, aka “The Cricket”

Aracely Rodríguez Vivas, #9: My teammate Olga has always been called "the cricket."

Olga Irma Arey Islas, #5: Because everyone always said I was so skinny that I could fit in a matchbox.
_____

Aracely Rodríguez Vivas, #9, aka “The Artist”

Olga Irma Arey Islas, #5: We gave Aracely the nickname "the artist" because she would go in to take a shower, and come out with her hair combed, makeup on, fully ready.

Guadalupe Morales Quirazco, #6: We always say, “here comes the artist.”
_____

Maria Gisela Limon Ortiz, #4, aka “The Beep Beep”

Maria Antonia Villegas Garcia, #13: We call her "la beep beep" because she’s really fast.

Guadalupe Morales Quirazco, #6: I really love all of my teammates, we support each other in everything. We always look for an excuse to get-together, really any day we get the chance. It’s beautiful to gather with them.

Olga Irma Arey Islas, #5: Conchita was ill a few days ago, and Toña also got hurt and wasn’t feeling well. We might not be together physically, but we’re always communicating through WhatsApp, or talking on the phone — one way or another we always support and are there for each other.