Guest Speakers

Tanya & Yrene are members of the National Zapatista Student Alliance, a network of student activists organizing to end the war in Chiapas as well as raise political consciousness of neoliberalism here in the U.S. They have engaged themselves in a labor organization for womyn in El Paso, Texas as well as delegations to Chiapas. They are well versed in Xicana Feminist thought and make the connection between womyn taking an active, feminist-conscious role in the EZLN and U.S. Chicanas. Thus, they present us a picture of transnational womyn struggle & solidarity.	Tanya Rodriguez & Yrene Garza
As a long time human rights activist and advocate, Rocky Rodriguez is the Executive Director of the National Xican@ Human Rights Council, an organization dedicated to the use of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo as a living human rights document. In an effort to reconnect indigenous peoples of Itzachilatlan (western hemisphere) as well as to defend and preserve our original ways of life, she serves as the official spokeswoman for the Peace and Dignity Journeys' Confederation of the Eagle and Condor Coordinating Council.	Rocky Rodriguez
Patrisia Gonzales is the first Latina (Chicana-Kikapu) syndicated columnist in the country. She has recently completed a book titled "The Mud People: Anonymous Heroes of Mexico's Emerging Human Rights Movement." "I'm looking at the role of spirituality in social change," she says. "I'll look at how to help heal communities and also identify creative projects which promote healing in a community. I think with the current climate in this country people realize there has to be lots of healing at all levels."	Patrisia Gonzales
Xochitl, Francisca, and Maria are active in La Familia, a grass roots organization dedicated to creating a supportive, educational, and political space for Queer brown youth. The need for this organization arises out of the historical exclusion of our Queer hermanas y hermanos. As part of the efforts of La Familia and żY Que? to form social networks and foster political activism among Latina/o Queer youth, they have established the QLYC as a collaborative effort between Stanford, UCLA, and UC Berkeley.	Xochitl Marquez, Francisca Marquez, Maria Ceballos
Monica Palacios, a native California "homegirl," approaches Xicana Queer Theory through creative expression in her one-woman stage performances. As a well-renowned performer/writer, Palacios has created numerous ground-breaking shows articulating the painful, powerful and comedic experiences of Chicana Lesbians. As well, Monica’s work has been published in many notable anthologies on Latina Theatre Criticism.	Monica Palacios
"Betita" is a Xicana writer, activist, & teacher whose many years of social justice work are legendary. She speaks on racism, multiculturalism, womyn's struggles and today's new movements. In the 60s and 70s, she worked in the Black Civil Right's Movement and the Chicano movement. She co-founded & currently chairs the Institute for Multi-Racial Justice to help build alliances between communities of color. Martinez, the author of six books and numerous articles, is known for "500 Years of Chicano History." Her latest book is "De Colores Means All Of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century."	Elizabeth Martinez