Farmworker Chronicles
Resilience and Justice: Mónica Ramírez on Empowering Migrant Women and Fighting Sexual Violence
In this two-parter, hosts Gwen and Wendy meet up with Mónica Ramírez, founder of Justice for Migrant Women, and discuss her journey and the organization's mission to eradicate sexual violence against migrant women workers. She shares her early advocacy experiences, the impact of community responses to immigration raids, and the ongoing challenges faced in the fight for gender equity and migrant rights. The discussion highlights the vulnerabilities of migrant women workers, the importance of mental health initiatives, and the need for policy changes to support survivors of trauma. Mónica emphasizes the power and resilience of migrant women in advocating for their rights and calls for community support to uplift their stories and contributions.
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Meet Your Host Gwen Short
Now a proud Toledoan, Gwen Short was born and grew up in Dayton, Ohio. As a kid, her favorite activities included exploring streams, turning over rocks, and planting in her family’s garden. Later, she would take that sense of exploration with her as she became an outdoor educator out west. Gwen got into that work to make an impact by fostering stewardship and sustainability within participants. Gwen saw how participants in her programs and those around her were deeply affected by the legal systems in our society. Now, Gwen has shifted from an education-based to a legal-based approach to impact and works as an attorney for immigrant and agricultural worker rights.
Meet Your Host Wendy Aviña
Wendy Aviña transplanted to Ohio from Texas 15 years ago. Born in California to Mexican immigrant parents, Wendy experienced firsthand the daily barriers and inequalities many immigrants endure. These experiences have led her to select career paths that enable her to help empower immigrants and farmworkers wherever she resides concerning civil rights, education, immigration, and access to health care. Wendy has listened to countless stories of disappointments, hardship, sacrifice, determination, gumption, and bravery throughout her work. Now she hopes to bring you these stories in Farmworker Chronicles.
Thank You
Voices Around Us® is supported in part by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated by the City of Toledo and the Lucas County Commissioners and administered by The Arts Commission.
