United States Congressman Honors Garifuna Activist, Mrs. Mirtha Colon for 2022 Women’s History Month
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Copyright 2022 by Teofilo Colon Jr. (a.k.a. “Tio Teo” or T.O. Tayo) for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.
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Bronx, New York – The New York Botanical Garden was host to quite an event for 2022 Women’s History Month. U.S Congressman Ritchie Torres, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and New York Governor Kathy Hochul were all in attendance.
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At this Breakfast, 5 Bronx Women were honored for their work and advocacy. The Women Honorees were: Adama Ban, Mirtha Colon, Terry Lawson, Nilka Martell and Norma Saunders.
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Of the Five Women, Mrs. Mirtha Colon is well known to readers of the BEING GARIFUNA website. She is a Garifuna Activist and her work over the years were recognized and honored at this 2022 Women’s History Month Breakfast.
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U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres began his speech by declaring, “Our next Honoree is one of the Greatest Champions of The Garifuna Community, Mirtha Colon.” (Applause).
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“We actually, Mirtha was the Inspiration behind the new, the first ever Garifuna Caucus in the United States Congress. She’s just one of the strongest leaders in our community. ” – U.S. Rep Ritchie Torres
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“When I went into Congress, I asked to be a member of both The Congressional Hispanic and Congressional Black Caucus. And someone said to me, ‘Well, you cannot be both Latino and Black.’ (Laughter). I’m like, Ok.” (Laughter). – U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres
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“But I identify as Afro-Latino and one of the largest Afro-Latino communities we have is the Garifuna Community. And I’m an Honorary Garifuna.” – U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres.
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Below is video of Mrs. Mirtha Colon’s speech at The 2022 Women’s History Month Breakfast at the New York Botanical Garden.
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Mrs. Mirtha Colon — “I thought I was the only one who’s not good at speeches, but it seems like we’re two now. The Garifuna Community, The Garifuna People, salute you all, and Thank You for this because this is not for Mirtha Colon, but for the community.” (Applause).
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Mrs Mirtha Colon (continued) — “Since the early 1930’s the Garifuna People have been in New York, and mainly in The Bronx. And we became visible, March 25th (1990) with The Happy Land Fire. 32 years ago. This is our (Inaudible). (Applause). However, we would like, to Thank, Ritchie Torres, for taking us, under his arm, with The Garifuna Caucus. With The Garifuna Heritage (Month). Garifuna American Heritage, that is being drafted right now to celebrate the Garifuna (video ends).
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ABOUT Mrs. Mirtha Colon
Mrs. Mirtha Colon is a social worker turned Garifuna Activist from Trujillo, Honduras. In addition to serving as President of Hondurans Against AIDS Inc (a.k.a. Casa Yurumein), she also serves as President of ONECA (Central American Black Organization) and also heads up Americas Alliance, which brings over 55 Latin American organizations, many of them from Mexico.
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