Solange (Sonia) Pierre- Human Rights Activist in the Dominican Republic for Haitian Rights. Born in the Dominican Republic to Haitian parents, Ms. Pierre, 44 has spent her life advocating on behalf of Haitians and ethnic Haitians who hold Dominican citizenship but are subjected to racial discrimination in a society that places a high value on lighter skin. (The New York Times, International, September 29, 2007)
Rutsely Simarra from Colombia is a professional linguist at the University level. She is an active member of the Association of Afrocolombian women. . Born and raised in the Palenque of San Basilio she is a participant and student of the rich traditions of her ancestral legacy working to preserve the unique language known is Palenquero (African/Spanish mixture).
Rosana Silva Chagas from Bahia, Brazil is a 19 year old college student, involved in direct social work at the grassroots rather than in strictly political agitation. She is involved in the back to the basics of organizing INSIDE the ghetto, providing social services, looking after the children, fighting ghetto crime, providing training facilities, assisting young women to find a way out, etc.
Mari Cruz Rivera Clemente, from Pinones Puerto Rico is a community activist. Now running for mayor of a predominantly Black area of Loiza and Pinoñes she was instrumental in halting the development of a development that would destroy the natural resources of the coastal area of the community.
Yvette Modestin was born and raised in Colon,Republic of Panama. Yvette is the Founder/Director of Encuentro Diaspora Afro in Boston, MA. She is currently the Diaspora, US Coordinator on the Commision of the Red de Mujeres AfroLatinoAmericanas, Afrocaribenas y de la Diaspora. Yvette has been profiled by the Boston Globe as "The Uniter" for her work in bringing the Latin American and African American community together and for her activism in building a voice for the Afro Latino community.This work has lead to a Boston Resolution naming March 23, 2007 as Afro-Latina Leadership and Actvist Day in 2006 she was highlighted as "Six in the City" by the Boston Globe for her service in the community.
Zenaida Mendez Currently Director of External Affairs For the Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) Public Access Television. For many years Zenaida Mendez has been involved in a variety of issues affecting women and children-from housing, to daycare to equal pay for equal work to educational, women right to choose, to health, economic and environmental justice.
