Tea Time Speaker Series: Grito de Lares/Puerto Rican Independence

444 Green Street,Gardner MA 01440

23 September, 2022

Description

Join us, Tea Time Speaker Series on Friday September 23rd. from 11:00-2:00pm. Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner main campus. Lecture: Grito de Lares/Puerto Rican Declaration of Independence Celebration: from 1868 to until now, the struggle continues. September 23, 1868 marks Puerto Rico’s official declaration of independence from Spain, which led the Island on the path to gradual independence, until the US invaded it in 1898. Today’s presentation will focus on the historic relationship between Puerto Rico/Puerto Ricans and the United States government, and the ongoing struggle to end colonialism in Puerto Rico and within the mainland U.S. Band and Performance Bomba de Aqui Bomba y Plena (traditional Afro-Puerto Rican dance and drumming) https://bombadeaqui.org/ Lecturer David Thibault-Munoz, has been an educator, organizer and activist for the past twenty years. He was an active member of the National Boricua Human Rights Network between 2000-2018 and taught Puerto Rican History 1898-present at the Dr. Pedro Albizu-Campos High School located in Chicago between 2002-2005. Between 2006-2018, David brought the play Crimes Against Humanity, depicting the lives and experience of Puerto Rican political prisoners to venues in Leominster, Worcester, Holyoke and Lawrence in order to bring light to the situations and cases of the remaining Puerto Rican political prisoners, and organized events surrounding Puerto Rican history and culture at many community venues in Fitchburg, MA, including two large events held at the Fitchburg Art Museum. David received his BA in Sociology with a minor in History from Binghamton University, where he studied Puerto Rican History under the direction of professors Kelvin Santiago, Miguel Gonzalez and Ramon Grosfugal, and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Illinois, Chicago, where he was mentored by Puerto Rican history professor and Executive Director of Chicago’s Puerto Rican Cultural Center Jose Lopez 2000-2005. Maestra de Ceremonia Irene Hernandez, is a longtime community activist with a background in social work. She is currently the program director at Active Life Adult Day Health Center. Prior to Active Life, Irene worked as the program coordinator for Fitchburg Community Connections Coalition and served for many years as the assistant to the former mayor of Fitchburg and served as a project manager for the Charles E. Shannon CSI Grant/Tri-City Anti-Gang Violence program for the cities of Fitchburg, Leominster, and Gardner. Irene has worked to create bridges with local and state agencies/institutions to bring about systemic change, advocacy, and the identification of resources for our community. Through her compassion, humor and words of inspiration, Irene is always willing to work on finding solutions to recreate or rebuild structures that no longer serve our community. Irene pushes, stretches, volunteers, and mentor because everyone is valuable and worthy. Irene currently sits on many boards, commissions, councils, and committees advocating for equity in health, education, prison reform, healthy relationships, mental health, substance abuse, employment and overall wellbeing of our community. Irene recieved her Masters in Theology and her Doctorate in Divinity (D. Div.)Over the years, Irene has spearheaded several innovative and impactful initiatives including the TORCH Youth Leadership Training and created the Fitchburg Alcalde de su Calle program (featured on CNN). In addition to her many community roles, Irene is a proud wife, mother, and strong ally. Spanish-American Center Vision is that every person would live in a safe, healthy, peaceful, and prosperous community in order to enjoy the full benefits of our society. Mission is to respond to the social, health, educational and cultural needs of the Leominster community and surrounding areas with special focus on the Hispanic /Latino community, limited by language, poverty and access. We foster economic self-sufficiency, equal opportunity, and active participation in community related activities for better quality of life. The Spanish-American Center is committed to providing assistance to Spanish-speaking residents to overcome language barriers, promoting the development of our young people, fostering community involvement and leadership; increasing relationships with partners, and connecting clients to available community services, which represent and advocate for the community. In keeping with Latino traditions and being mindful of the historical principles of American democracy, the Spanish American Center adheres to the values of inclusion, and acceptance and embracing one another in collaboration and celebration of hope for a more prosperous future. Sponsors Gateway to College, President's Office at Mount Wachusett Community College, Spanish American Center, International Center for the Promotion of Diversity and Inclusion. Gift by Rollstone Trust & Bank Invite your staff, colleagues, friends, students, and families because this event is FREE and open to the public. For more information on The Tea Time Speaker Series please click on the link: https://mwcc.edu/category/tea-time/page/1/ Covid Policy and Procedures By registering to visit, I affirm that I and any guests who accompany me have read and understood the MWCC Visitor COVID-19 Attestation Form. (https://mwcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/MWCC-Visitor-COVID-19-Attestation-Form.pdf) I acknowledge that if I do not meet one of the visitor requirements as outlined in the MWCC Visitor COVID-19 Attestation Form, I am not eligible to attend the event. I further understand that I must comply with MWCC’s COVID-19 Policies and Procedures. (https://mwcc.edu/covid/)