Padres Organizados por la Educación en Sunset Park: “The role of immigrant mothers in the role of their children’s education”
The description of this beautiful event of our partners, La Union, was written by Emma DeVries. We were so proud and pleased do be there with them! Photos were taken by Anna Remenschneider.
On Friday, May 10, five women, all who form part of Padres Organizados por la Educación en Sunset Park, lent their voices to the conversations on Mexican migration to NYC at the CUNY Mexican Studies Annual Conference. They featured in a panel on “The role of immigrant mothers in the role of their children’s education,” where each of these La Unión members passionately shared their thoughts on the importance of being involved in their children’s education and on their unique experience as immigrant women in achieving their goals for their family.
Though five of the mothers attended the conference, all eight who participated in the project had a voice at the table: David Bacon’s photos of the eight were displayed on a slideshow throughout the presentation. To complement his photos, the women contributed family photos taken by their children to show their own perspectives on their home life, and shared their thoughts through interviews, excerpts of which were displayed on the powerpoint.
Audience members raised questions about the persistent barriers to immigrants in the education system, to which the mothers were able to respond with many of their own personal experiences with these very obstacles. However, their message was overall a message of hope and perseverance: that through persistence, a collaborative organizing effort, and a love for their families, it is possible to give their children an education that prepares them for life, for a bright and successful future. And, not forgetting that it was Mexican Mother’s Day, children of each of the women presented their mothers with a rose–a beautiful moment that re-emphasized the many roles that these women balance so elegantly.
Overall, the academic conference was greatly enriched by the voices of these La Unión members who are working on the ground day in and out to fight for the rights of their children and to organize their community to bring the best futures possible to their children and to other families alike. We are proud to be a part of such an amazing group of people!