The Nobel Peace Prize 1992
Rigoberta Menchú Tum: The Nobel Peace Prize 1992Other Resources Biography

Rigoberta Menchú was born on January 9, 1959 to a poor Indian peasant family and raised in the Quiche branch of the Mayan culture. In her early years she helped with the family farm work, either in the northern highlands where her family lived, or on the Pacific coast, where both adults and children went to pick coffee on the big plantations.

Rigoberta Menchú soon became involved in social reform activities through the Catholic Church, and became prominent in the women's rights movement when still only a teenager. Such reform work aroused considerable opposition in influential circles, especially after a guerilla organization established itself in the area. The Menchú family was accused of taking part in guerrilla activities and Rigoberta's father, Vicente, was imprisoned and tortured for allegedly having participated in the execution of a local plantation owner. After his release, he joined the recently founded Committee of the Peasant Union (CUC).

In 1979, Rigoberta, too, joined the CUC. That year her brother was arrested, tortured and killed by the army. The following year, her father was killed when security forces in the capital stormed the Spanish Embassy where he and some other peasants were staying. Shortly afterwards, her mother also died after having been arrested, tortured and raped. Rigoberta became increasingly active in the CUC, and taught herself Spanish as well as other Mayan languages than her native Quiche. In 1980, she figured prominently in a strike the CUC organized for better conditions for farm workers on the Pacific coast, and on May 1, 1981, she was active in large demonstrations in the capital. She joined the radical 31st of January Popular Front, in which her contribution chiefly consisted of educating the Indian peasant population in resistance to massive military oppression.

In 1981, Rigoberta Menchú had to go into hiding in Guatemala, and then flee to Mexico. That marked the beginning of a new phase in her life: as the organizer abroad of resistance to oppression in Guatemala and the struggle for Indian peasant peoples' rights. In 1982, she took part in the founding of the joint opposition body, The United Representation of the Guatemalan Opposition (RUOG). In 1983, she told her life story to Elisabeth Burgos Debray. The resulting book, called in English, I, Rigoberta Menchú, is a gripping human document which attracted considerable international attention. In 1986, Rigoberta Menchú became a member of the National Coordinating Committee of the CUC, and the following year she performed as the narrator in a powerful film called When the Mountains Tremble, about the struggles and sufferings of the Maya people. On at least three occasions, Rigoberta Menchú has returned to Guatemala to plead the cause of the Indian peasants, but death threats have forced her to return into exile.

Over the years, Rigoberta Menchú has become widely known as a leading advocate of Indian rights and ethno-cultural reconciliation, not only in Guatemala but in the Western Hemisphere generally, and her work has earned her several international awards.
From Les Prix Nobel. The Nobel Prizes 1992, Editor Tore Frängsmyr, [Nobel Foundation], Stockholm, 1993
This autobiography/biography was written at the time of the award and later published in the book series Les Prix Nobel/Nobel Lectures. The information is sometimes updated with an addendum submitted by the Laureate.

About Women's Health Services - Hartford Hospital

Family Centered

Women’s Health Services at Hartford Hospital is a family-centered system of care for women at every stage of life. We are committed to providing the
highest standard of care; promoting the physical and emotional well-being of patients and families; and empowering women to maintain good health,
participate in their care and bring new life into the world.

Outstanding Staff

The Department of Women’s Health Services is staffed by an outstanding group of physicians and nurses.

Many of our physicians hold positions of leadership in national medical societies and serve on the faculties of medical schools of such leading institutions as Dartmouth and the University of Connecticut. In addition, Hartford Hospital is a teaching hospital with a nationally recognized Residency Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology sponsored by the University of Connecticut.

Our nurses are exceptional as well. Many hold specialty certifications in Inpatient Obstetrics, Maternal Newborn Nursing, Fetal Monitoring, Childbirth Education, Telephone Triage and Breastfeeding.

From your first call, you’ll know that we care.

CTWorks is All About Our One-Stop Partners:

Each year, millions of Americans receive career guidance, job placement and business services from our nation's "One-Stop Career Centers" known in Connecticut as CTWorks. At CTWorks, a team of career agents, job developers andbusiness services consultants have joined together, in partnership with the CT Department of Labor to help you reach your goals.

CTWorks is All About Our One-Stop Partners: Capital Workforce Partners teams with state agencies, local education, business and community organizations and top-notch service delivery contractors to implement a fully integrated, seamless "One-Stop" delivery system to meet the needs of the region's individuals and businesses. Capital Community College Career T.E.A.M. CT Bureau of Rehabilitation Services Capitol Region Educational Council CT Department of Labor CT Business and Industry Assoc. Hartford Public Library Metro Hartford Alliance KRA Corporation Manchester Community College Manchester Chamber of Commerce Tunxis Community College Manchester Adult and Continuing Education

Connecticut Laborers' District Council

The Connecticut Laborers' District Council, its members and all of the workers of the Laborers' International Union of North America, are dedicated to building a solid future for all of our families and our communities. Through employment training, safety, healthcare and a variety of other intensive programs, the Connecticut Laborers' District Council is helping to build a better future by ensuring a safe workplace, fair wages, competitive benefit policies and other employment opportunities.

With help from the Connecticut Laborers' District Council, company owners and management representatives gain access to a highly-trained workforce that is loyal and dedicated to company goals. As a result of this partnership, companies increase revenues, save dollars and projects are completed on time. If you are a business owner or management representative from a commercial or residential construction company, I would like to invite you to contact our office for more information about forming a workforce partnership with us.

Community & Business Photos From The Connecticut Laborers' Districut Council

Emergency Preparedness Tips

A severe storm can cause power outages, and the best time to prepare is before a storm strikes. It takes at least two things to get through the effects of a severe storm: preparation and patience. Not only might they make the situation tolerable, sometimes they may actually save your life. Our goal is to get your power back on as soon as possible.

If you lose power, report your outage by calling 800-286-2000 or by using our online application.

Customers with life-support equipment

If you or someone in your household relies on electrically operated life-support equipment, you should prepare a backup plan to cope with power outage.

• An alternate source of electric power such as a battery backup system, an uninterruptible power supply or a properly installed generator for the life-support equipment
• Emergency telephone numbers (doctor, fire, police and ambulance)
• A procedure to vacate your home during a prolonged outage

For details, read shutoff protection.

Fore more suggestions to help you prepare and remain safe before, during and after a storm, click here to visit CL&P

U.S. Census Data Reflects Changing Demographics in Connecticut; Central, Eastern, Southern, Western Are Responding

As Connecticut’s population demographics change and reflect a more diverse population – including a fast-growing Hispanic population – the Connecticut State University System (CSUS) is beginning to see results from ongoing efforts to provide the state’s Hispanic students with opportunities to succeed in higher education and build foundations for career success.

CSUS includes Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven and Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. With more than 36,600 students, it is the state’s largest university system, and approximately 49% of students are the first generation in their families to attend college.

There has been an increase of more than 700 students, or 34%, in Hispanic students attending the Connecticut State University System between 2007 and 2010.
The six-year graduation rate for Hispanic students attending the four universities, which was 30% as recently as 2000, has increased to about 40% during the past three years. In addition, the gap in retention between Hispanic and white students who began as first-time, full-time freshmen and return for their sophomore year has been cut in half, dropping to 3% this year from 6% the previous year.

The success of Hispanic students in higher education is seen as critical to Connecticut’s economic health, as the state’s demographics – and future workforce – continue to change.

It has been estimated that by the year 2020, 47% of the state’s 25- to 29-year-olds will be individuals of color. A report issued last month by the U.S. Department of Education stated that “in the coming decades, Latinos will continue to drive the growth of the labor force,” pointing out that “Latino success in education and in the labor market is of both immediate and long-term importance to America’s economy.”

Overall, the CSUS universities are attracting more students of color – an all-time high of 7,028 students this year, an increase of 19% (1,120 students) since 2007 and a 35% increase since 2000. That includes an increase of more than 700 students, or 34%, in Hispanic students since 2007.

Connecticut's Hispanic population grew nearly 50% during the past decade, according to data released last month from the 2010 U.S. Census.

Hispanics now comprise 13.4% of the state's 3.57 million people, compared with 9% in 2000, an increase of nearly 50% since the 2000 census. The white population declined 0.3%, while the number of African-Americans increased 17% during the decade. In fact, the actual census counts in 23 of the 33 states whose data has been released – including Connecticut – were higher than the latest census estimates of the Hispanic population. In Connecticut, the count was 7.5% higher than estimated.

CSUS is one of the original participants in Access to Success, a project of the National Association of System Heads and The Education Trust, which now includes 24 public higher education systems that have pledged to cut the college-going and graduation gaps for low-income and minority students. Each of the CSUS universities is developing and implementing specific strategies designed to improve both access and college completion.

In addition, each of the universities has student organizations and other programming related to Hispanic heritage, including observances of Hispanic Heritage Month in the fall. Central and Western are partner institutions of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

Revised data reporting requirements instituted by the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Post-Secondary Educational Data System (IPEDS) states that individuals who indicate they are Hispanic in demographic information provided to a university may also indicate a race, such as black or white, under guidelines effective in 2010. Previously, individuals indicating that they are Hispanic could not also indicate a race. The revised IPEDS framework indicates that historic data is therefore not strictly comparable.

SPANISH AMERICAN MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (SAMA) Historical Information

95 Park Street
Hartford, CT
860-278-5825

In 1982, several dedicated Hispanic business owners and Hispanic community leaders realized the enormous potential of the Hispanic business community in the City of Hartford and envisioned the need to be organized to represent its interests before the government and private sectors.
Throughout its nearly 30-year history, SAMA has enjoyed outstanding working relationships with members of government and corporate sector. Through its network of more than 500 local Hispanic business owners and organizations, SAMA effectively communicates the needs and potential of the Hispanic enterprise to the public, government and private sector by:

• Advocating and promoting the advancement of multicultural small business owners, particularly Hispanic, in the State of Connecticut;
• Increasing business relationships and partnerships between the corporate sector and small business owners;
• Monitoring legislation, policies and programs that affect the Hispanic business community;
• Providing technical assistance and training to multicultural businesses and entrepreneurs;
• Serving as a resource for merchants who have the potential and desire to create or expand their business ventures;
• Advocating for the merchants by bringing their business concerns to local, state, and federal agencies and to other private and public institutions;
• Promoting neighborhood and commercial revitalization (cleaning campaigns, reducing deterioration and crime fighting); and,
• Providing funding to small businesses for equipment, renovation, inventory and cash flow through SAMA’s Loan Program

In 1999, SAMA created its Empresario Development Center. The Center is dedicated to fulfilling the education mission of SAMA focusing on six key strategies:

• Management
• Financial
• Human Resources
• Technology
• Health
• Safety Issues

EDC is the small business premier provider of educational resources, materials, and training in English and Spanish for small business owners in the State of Connecticut. Please visit SAMA’s Empresario Development Center section of this website to see many of the programs offered by SAMA.

In 2008, SAMA created Latino for Better Health to provide health information and free health screenings to the merchants, their employees and their relatives.

SAMA’s ability to sustain its mission is largely due in part to the involvement of the Board of Directors and a group of core volunteers who work with the employees to achieve the organization’s goals. SAMA has a team of professionals that brings a variety of skills, experience and knowledge to meet the organization’s efforts as it delivers its many programs in each of our offices. The team’s combined expertise and abilities help support the organization’s membership and the small business owners that face many challenges in the community.

SAMA has three offices in the State of Connecticut. The main office is in Hartford and two satellite offices located in New Haven and Willimantic. SAMA is mission-driven and serves each local community depending on the needs that must be met. SAMA’s purpose is to help develop and create small businesses, which serve the public interest by helping to improve the community, create job opportunities, help lower and stabilize crime rates and host cultural activities that bring the community together to preserve the cultural values.

Earned Income Tax Credit

Many working people don’t file tax returns because they don’t owe any taxes. But, if you're a working person, you may want to think about filing a tax return. If you do, you may be able receive a refund from the government under the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Program, even if you don’t owe taxes. These EITC credits average $1,400 per household.

For more information on receiving an earned income tax credit, please contact us @ 860-236-3617 x100 or info@co-opportunity.org

Save even more by letting our partners in the Hartford Asset Building Collaborative, prepare your taxes for FREE (see below). There are ten different Free Tax Preparation Sites throughout Hartford. Other ways Co-opportunity can help you achieve greater financial success include financial assistance, financial education, and helping you establish relationships with banks and credit unions.

Free Tax Preparation Helps Families Claim EITC

Working families who earned up to $50,000 in 2009 and may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit are eligible for free tax preparation services, including electronic filing and direct deposit, now through April 15.

	How it Works: Get all the info you need here Welcome Center - Partnering For Success Your 'Go To' Resource For Education In Hartford!
It's our mission is to satisfy families beyond their expectations and to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of all personnel by assuming responsibility for solving problems in a caring, helpful and professional manner. The Welcome Center exists to help link students, parents, principals, teachers, employees, and the community to available resources while ensuring accurate information and quality assistance for all. Our Purpose Ensure compliance with the Board of Education's policy on constituent service. Improve the District's credibility with the community by creating customer friendly schools and offices. Ensure accurate and consistent dissemination of information. Ensure uniform resolution standards across the District. Provide data and management reports to target problem areas and prioritize solutions. Choice Office 960 Main Street, 8th Floor Hartford, CT 06103 Phone: 860 695-8876 Fax: 860 722-6161 Office Hours: 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Immigration Reform Group Delivers Hundreds Of Tacos to East Haven Mayor

Malloy Calls Comments 'Repugnant,' 'Unacceptable'

By HILDA MUNOZ, SAMAIA HERNANDEZ and GEORGE COLLI, hmunoz@courant.com
The Hartford Courant

January 26 2012, 7:57 PM EST

EAST HAVEN -- Mayor Joseph Maturo insisted he would not resign on Thursday, even while an immigration reform group brought hundreds of tacos to his office in response to his comment this week that he "might have tacos" to support the Latino community.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.courant.com/community/east-haven/hc-east-haven-mayor-tacos-0125-20120124,0,5054089.story

The Hartford Region Open Choice Program

The Hartford Region Open Choice Program is a part of a statewide choice program that offers students the opportunity to attend public schools in suburban towns, and suburban students the opportunity to attend public schools in Hartford at no cost to the student’s family. Its purpose is to improve academic achievement; reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation; and provide a choice of educational programs for children. (View/download our brochure)

Click here to view/download the "It's A Go" video.

Facts About Open Choice

• Currently, over 1,300 Hartford students attend school in 28 suburban districts and 39 suburban students attend Hartford public schools through Open Choice.
• All children who live in Hartford are eligible to apply for suburban public schools and all suburban students are eligible to apply for placement in designated Hartford public schools.
• A full day kindergarten experience is available through Open Choice Early Beginnings.
• In most cases, transportation is provided at no cost to families.
• Open Choice serves all children, including gifted and talented, English language learners, and special needs students.
• The majority of Open Choice graduates attend post secondary education programs, including four-year colleges such as Clark, UConn, ECSU, Lesley, CCSU, Western New England, the University of Hartford (grants available for Hartford residents), Johnson and Wales, and the University of Florida.

Other Program Features
The Hartford Region Open Choice Program also offers summer programs to students, a college incentive award for Choice high school students nearing graduation, and a full-day kindergarten program called Early Beginnings. To learn more about these features, please visit our Other Program Features page.

CREC: Capitol Region Education Council
111 Charter Oak Avenue · Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 524-4010

Recent Show: JOSÉ PAULO, Singer for all occasions

José Paulo voice will mesmerize you and his personality will charm you. He is very versatile and that permits him to sing all styles of music in English, Portuguese Spanish, Italian and French. He also continues to amaze audiences in various age ranges. José Paulo is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He started his singing career at the age of 12 when he began singing “Ave Maria” at local weddings. Jose Paulo has study in various certified music schools. He also released his first CD in 2008, "Canzoni Stonate". Jose Paulo has been part of many performances and events. Here are just a few events where large audiences were able to be captivated by his voice and charm, singing for Pope John Paul, II, Brazilian Day In Canada (opened up the show for Ivete Sangalo), Brazilian International Press Award Ceremony, Guitar under the Stars, Sergio Franchi Annual Concerts, the Connecticut Operas Carmen and Tosca and Rio Samba Show. Jose Paulo could not live without singing since music is part of who he is.