Tuesday, May 18
12:00-12:30 p.m. CST
Speakers: Rosario de la Torre, Comfort Dondo
Moderated by: Vanesa Diaz, Martin O. Sabo Fellow Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
Abuse is a significant problem for all women, and immigrant women globally are particularly vulnerable. Economic and social factors, including immigration status, are challenges to reporting violence or seeking necessary services. Rosario de la Torre, legal advocate at Casa de Esperanza, and Phumulani shelter founder, Comfort Dondo, are mobilizing to protect Latina and African immigrant women by creating bilingual shelters, and survivor support through both legal action and culturally-specific community engagement, including tea ceremonies and listening sessions. Rosario and Comfort model how to lift up all women experiencing violence by sharing their innovative solutions grounded in community realities.