Felicitas Provencio: An expert midwife who successfully assisted hundreds of births amongst the poor of El Paso, never attended school and could not read or write. She was arrested in 1935 when she was nearly 100 years old for practicing without a license. She is quoted as saying that she had been “committing this crime [of midwifery] for more than sixty years…no one had ever died at a birth she attended.”

George Melendez Wright (1904-1936): With a degree in forestry and zoology, George Melendez Wright worked for the National Park Service. Concerned by the impact of humans on wildlife, he led and personally funded a groundbreaking study that established the foundation for wildlife conservation in our National Parks. Today, Mountains in Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park now bear his name.

Don Pedro Jaramillo was a Mexican curandero (folk healer) in Southern Texas. Born In Guadalajara, he moved to Texas in the 1880s. Regarded as the “el mero jefe” or the real chief of the Curanderos, he was a highly sought after healer with families traveling from as far away as New York for his healing capabilities. He died in 1907.

Teresa Urrea (1873 – 1906): Teresa Urrea was a Mexican mystic and curandera who influenced the modern practice of curanderismo. Urrea became famous when, as a teen, she fell into a coma and was mysteriously resurrected at her wake. News of her healing powers quickly spread across the county, attracting thousands of people to her small town seeking out her healing powers.

Berta Cáceres (1971 – 2016): was an award-winning indigenous environmental activist from Honduras. Best known for leading a successful campaign against a proposed dam on the Gualcarque River, which was considered sacred by the Indigenous tribe Cáceres belonged to, she was able to protect the tribe’s access to water, food and medicine. She was also cofounder of the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras, which supports and advocates for the needs of Indigenous communities in Honduras.

The Salvaged Sawhorse: Jennifer Velasquez created The Salvaged Sawhorse as a way to take control of her debilitating migraines. Her affirmation cards and decks, available for children and adults in both Spanish and English, help people practice self care and reconnect to their inner power.
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Mil Mundos: With more than 50% of its titles available in Spanish, this bilingual Bushwick bookstore is a cultural meeting place that seeks to empower and engage the community through literature, workshops and events. Founded in 2018 by Maria Herron, Mil Mundos is a volunteer-run bookshop that celebrates Black, Latinx and Indigenous heritage through a latinx lense.
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Casa Muza: A sustainable and ethical clothing store based in NYC. Clothes from this bohemian-inspired brand are designed by Puerto Rican born, Polet Guzmán and manufactured in partnership with artisans from Guatemala. At the heart of Casa Muza is the sustainable and equitable relationship between the designer and artisans, ensuring fair incomes, safe environmental practices and an ethical and safe work environment.
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Brooklyn Brujeria: Chiquita Brujita is a third generation Nuyorican Bruja and performance artist. In 2015 she founded Brooklyn Brujeria, a Brooklyn-based creative house committed to using the power of art and joy as a form of activism and community building. Check out her website for details of her upcoming Brooklyn Brujeria Festival in October, 2021.
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