May 6, at 10 am, 3845 North Swan Street - " Punished for Speaking Spanish: Maria and Elena Tell Their Stories"

Cindy Provencio conducted an oral history project to complete her master's thesis on the topic of racial segregation and discrimination in Grant County. Maria Dominguez and Elena Cisneros were two of the participants. Although more than 20 years apart in age, they both experienced physical and emotional abuse for speaking Spanish at the hands of some of their teachers while attending Bayard Elementary.

Maria Dominguez, who will also be speaking, grew up in Bayard and Santa Clara. She retired from Western New Mexico University and has served the community in many capacities such as serving on the board of El Refugio.

Cindy Provencio also grew up in Bayard and currently works for Upper Gila Watershed Alliance as the Gila Latina Community Organizer and is a candidate for County Commissioner, District. 2.

Together Maria and Cindy Renee will honor Elena’s memory as she recently lost the battle to cancer.

Although this is not a Family Program Sunday, there will be childcare available for parents who would like to attend. There will be coffee and conversation after the service, and visitors are always welcome. If you’d like to find out more about the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City, email uufellowshipofsilvercity@gmail.com, visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.