Dr. Elena R. Gutiérrez Co-Edits New Book, Chicago Latina Trailblazers
Dr. Elena R. Gutiérrez (she/her/hers; they/them/theirs), Associate Professor of Gender and Women's Studies; Latin American and Latino Studies at UIC, has co-edited an essential new book, Chicago Latina Trailblazers: Testimonios of Political Activism, alongside Rita D. Hernández and Leticia Villarreal Sosa. This powerful volume presents testimonies by Latina leaders who blazed new trails and shaped Latina Chicago history from the 1960s through today.
Taking a do-it-all attitude, these women advanced agendas, built institutions, forged alliances, and created essential resources that Latino/a/x communities lacked. Time and again, they found themselves the first Latina to hold their post or part of the first Latino/a/x institution of its kind. Just as often, early grassroots efforts to address issues affecting themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods grew into larger endeavors. Their experiences ranged from public schools to healthcare to politics to broadcast media, and each woman’s story shows how her work changed countless lives and still reverberates across the entire city.
Order at: UI Press