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Mujeres de Conciencia/Women of Conscience
The sense of
being bicultural has always been close to my heart. Side by side different perspectives
have been constantly in motion within me, weaving into
one enlarged self. Parents
from Mexico and Central America, ancestors from “Alta
California”, and native California
roots created a rich background that formed
values, sensibilities, and visions. Having
parents who were activists in the struggles of San
Francisco’s labor unions during the 1940’s and
1950’s provided an added gift of the sense of community
and the value of activism. These were early lessons in my
youth. By
example my parents personified the belief that there is
great power in persistence when the cause is just. They
believed in the power of world harmony and wellness for
all, and with determination advocated for themselves and
others.
Expanding on the
values of my parents, my undergraduate major at the
University of California, Berkeley was in Social Science
and my graduate major at Cal. State Hayward was in
Educational Psychology. My newly acquired knowledge
during this time lead me to recognize more accurately
societal strengths as well as weaknesses.
This, in turn, formed the foundation leading me
towards professional involvement in social welfare.
Additionally, I have become involved
and have been active in fields that have
specifically addressed the promotion of community issues.
Mujeres de
Conciencia/Women of Conscience
is a book endeavor to profile for the general public;
young and old, Latinas
of California whose knowledge and efforts have affected
the well being of the Latino communities.
These women presented in the book are
representatives of
the other hundreds of
thousands of Latin
Americans who are also engaged in similar important
works. This treatise attempts to exemplify the Latino culture in the
United States from within its own perspective that
embraces validation. It is by no coincidence that the
Latina American women presented in this book are of
multi-cultural descent. They mirror the rich, and varied
ethnic background of the populace of Latin America.
Some are the great, great granddaughters of the
Mexicans who were indigenous to California and the South
West of the United States. Others have roots from
Central, South America and the Caribbean. Many of these
women formulated
their social conscience values
from personal, familial experiences. The stories
of their families, their own first -hand experiences and
observations, all added up to the person they are today.
They possess knowledge of the Latino culture and see the
necessity to preserve its value for themselves, others
and those to come. They
pursue endeavors on behalf of societies
that are within the larger society in attempts to
increase the quality of life for all.
They are firm believers that society as a whole
gains when
all of its communities prosper. Through their efforts
they are preserving paths for
in depth dialogue amongst all peoples.
As they share their stories that are filled with
conviction, joy, pride, love and pain, they emerge as
powerful agents for social justice.
Representatives
of a
broad spectrum of interests and specialties have
been included in
Mujeres de Conciencia/Women of Conscience.
These women include writers, artists, community
activists, lawyers, health specialists, politicians,
labor leaders, business entrepreneurs, cultural promoters
and community mobilizers. As multifaceted
representatives, they
reflect the
many elements of societal
structures. The
common unifying thread is their understanding, respect
and love of
the Latino communities and the value and impact of
their collective
work. Truth is placed high in their motivational
elements. They
look to self as well as to others to affect. The
photographs in this book are the visual images of these
Latina women. The
text attempts to capture the essence of their
specific endeavors, their different styles, and yet their
sameness of heart and convictions.
Mujeres de Conciencia/Women of Conscience is
a collection of dreams and aspirations that have found
and continue to find fruition. It is the recording of
people -power addressing preservation and wellness for
communities. While
the advocacy noted in this book project focuses on Latino
issues in the United States, it is important to note that
there is an equally strong advocacy advanced by these
Latina women for wider,
larger world -wide societal issues. Their belief
on effecting positive change has no borders, making
their visions fluid and interconnecting.
This book project on Latinas is presented to
celebrate potent power; power that reaches out, that is
contagious and effective.
In compiling
this book, I was responding to a sense of personal
responsibility to also contribute to increasing knowledge
and appreciation of
that which is Latino in the United States.
I have attempted to represent the
richness of being an American who is bicultural;
who identifies and is identified as an American who is
Latina-“Chicana” and
one whose identity and appreciation of “The
Americas” has no borders. I share the belief that an
expanded perspective surfaces when there is a deeper
understanding of all humankind. “What
is my role?” “What are my principles?” “What can
I do?” Mujeres de Conciencia /Women of Conscience grew
out of these questions. Many others who also have
asked themselves the same questions, have supported the
project and are making the publication possible.
Victoria
G. Alvarado
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