Abuelas en Acción: A Multicultural Podcast for Our Common Good

Join us in this heartfelt, con todo corazón, interview with one of Oregon's great leaders, David Martinez.  David shares his personal journey and what it meant for him to be honored as a Portland pride hero in Portland’s first LGBTQ+ mural titled “Never Look Away�� that  showcases the beauty and struggle of Oregon’s LGBTQ+,  Central to his personal and career journey has been his familia especially his mother. Support the Show.

Please join us in hearing the inspiring and heartfelt story of Elena Rodriguez, and her familia's  journey to become owners and operators of Alumbra Cellars in Dayton, Oregon. Alumbra Cellars is a vineyard and winery operated and owned by Mexican Americans, first-generation children of immigrants.  Elena chose Alumbra "to shine a light on the work being done in the vineyard and my Mexican roots,”  Listening to Elena's story about her family and Alumbra Cellars will inspire us all to visit this amazing winery.   Alumbra Winery, @alumbra.oregon and alumbracellars.comSupport the Show.

Please join us in this special conversation with José Eduardo González y Salazar, Executive Artistic Director of Milagro Theater (as known as Miracle Theatre Group).  José speaks about his personal and professional journey to founding Milagro in 1985 with his wife, Dañel Malán-González.  He speaks about the importance of art that serves as a mirror, showing us who we are and what and who is around us.  He talks about the artist in all of us and the healing power of art.Support the Show.

It was a pleasure meeting with Margarita Gutierrez Lemus, the new Executive Director of Familias en Accion.  Our conversation with Margarita is rich with topics including Latino health and economic justice and the importance/timeliness of  the upcoming Latino Health Equity Conference:  Nuestra Salud, Nuestro Poder; Cultivating Reproductive Justice.  More information about the conference can be found at www.latinohealthequity.orgSupport the Show.

Jose Madrid talks to us about the intersectionalities of his identity as queer and BIPOC and how they led him to his career in health.  He speaks about his lense as a DACA recipient and his commitment to addressing barriers to equitable health including reproductive justice.  Jose speaks about the importance of reproductive justice and the upcoming Familias en Accion 15th Annual Latino Health Equity Conference, www.latinohealthequity.orgSupport the Show.

Join us as we continue our conversation with Dr. Patricia Glazebrook, professor at Washington State University.  Our rich dialog with her includes the impact of climate change on women and children in Ghana and other developing countries.  The impact of capitalism and profits on climate change.  The importance of educating ourselves about issues such as climate change and the importance of spreading our knowledge. Support the Show.

Celeste Estrada, educator and community advocate, speaks about her personal and professional journey.  She speaks about the pain of losing her father and how her grief transformed into action through the creation of the Washington State University Las Mariposas Poderosas Undocumented Initiatives program.  Celeste speaks about the impact of trauma and grief and the healing power of art.   "We shake with joy, we shake with grief.  What a time they have, these two housed as they are in the same body."  Mary OliverSupport the Show.

Join us in this inspiring dialog with beloved community leader and social justice advocate, Cynthia Gomez, Director of Community Impact, Portland State University.  Cynthia talks about her defining moments and mentors who have meant so much to her in personal and professional journey.  She talks about our individual and collective power in guiding us to a thriving future for all.  Our interview with Cynthia is rich and empowering!    Cynthia's Websitehttps://www.cynthiacarmina.com/Latine Futures Initiativehttps://www.pdx.edu/diversity/latine-futures-initiativeLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiacarminagomez/Support the Show.

Mariana Quezada, a junior at Chapman University, joins us for this very intimate interview about the many successes and challenges she has faced in her journey to attend college.  Multi-talented Mariana is also a guitarist in the highly successful Mariachi Panteras. She describes how she confronted each barrier in her life and what gives her strength to succeed!  Mariana"s favorite book is "Blackhearts" by Nicole Castroman, available as a free ebook on simonteen.com or through your library. Support the Show.

Join the comadres of Abuelas en Accion in a healing and affirming conversation with author Emilly Prado, author of Funeral for Flaca.  Emilly talks about the power of writing in whatever way we choose; journaling, memoir fiction, poetry.  Writing is our voice and our story. She encourages us to write using our own unique rhythm.  As Emilly reads from her powerful chapter, "it's my brown skin," you will understand why the comadres had tears in their eyes.  Support the Show.

Join us in this inspiring interview with Dr. Veronica Sandoval, also known as Lady Mariposa. Her passion for literature, activism, justice and the Chicanx/Latinx community has fueled her work and publications in both creative and academic writing. Veronica shares her journey to higher education and highlights the importance of representation. As a Chola Scholar, she empowers and uplifts the Chola narrative by helping create spaces for activism, community, education, and inspiration. This interview was recorded shortly after the 2023 Chola Conference. This year the conference was La Chola Xola: Reclaiming Indigenous Guerrillera Identities by Celebrating Ceremonia in Chola Spaces and centered around our sabiduria and ancestral living. To learn more, visit their website at the link below.https://www.homegirldoctora.com/cholaconSupport the Show.

Here on Abuelas we gather around our virtual table to tell our stories, share our defining moments, our gratitude, our pain and our hopes.  Our warming climate, global conflicts and the erosion of our civil rights all remind us of the importance of meeting whatever life brings us with an open heart, a balanced mind and committed action.Our guest today, Phyllis Andersen, is a wise woman with an open heart who shares her journey, as an immigrant to El Salvador and the wisdom of the women, men and children of her community.Support the Show.