Started as a social and support group, Amigas Latinas has grown into an organization with a full board and the short-term plan to hire its first full-time staff. However, while staying true to its roots, Amigas also offers an annual scholarship to young Latinas either entering or currently enrolled in college. This year there were two recipients: Janeida Rivera and N. M., the latter who identifies herself as a queer Latina Jew. Both women have quite impressive portfolios.
As a high-school student at Pedro Albizu Campos H.S., Rivera confronted the collective at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) bringing to light that LGBTQ issues were not being addressed directly. In addition, Rivera founded Ambiente del Paseo a group that is part of the PRCC. N. M. is a pre-med student at the University of Chicago and is active with Queer & Associates, the student organization sponsored by the Office of Multi-Cultural Student Affairs.
Photos by Mel Ferrand