Alicia Granto

Alicia Granto

This interview with Alicia Granto took place on August 26, 2013 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Alicia was born in Cuba but later migrated with her family to Niagara Falls, NY. Alicia was fifteen years old when she first arrived and admitted that the transition from Cuba to the United States was challenging. At the time there were only two Cuban families living in Niagara Falls so many people didn’t really know about her culture. Alicia describes her time living in Niagara Falls where she met her first husband and raised her family. She explains that having a strong work ethic really helped her succeed especially considering she faced so many challenges. Eventually, Alicia moved to Buffalo where she became involved in the Hispanic community and she took a job at Buffalo State College where she helped develop a program to encourage Hispanic students to attend the university. It was called the Latino Extravaganza. In addition to recruiting students at Buffalo State College, she became a part of the Hispanic Women’s League which is a non-profit organization that awards scholarships to Hispanic women and encourages them to attend local universities. Alicia explains how women apply for the scholarship and that the organization really wants to encourage Hispanic women to be more than just homemakers. Alicia also discusses various aspects of the Hispanic community in Buffalo and different community events that still take place today. Alicia is very proud of her roots and feels it is important to maintain them.

Esta entrevista con Alicia Granto tomó lugar el 26 de agosto de 2013 en Búfalo, NY y fue conducida por Stephanie Bucalo. Alicia nació en Cuba pero más tarde migró con su familia a Niagara Falls, NY. Alicia tuvo quince años cuando ella llegó ahí y admitió que la transición de Cuba a los Estados Unidos fue difícil. Al momento hubo solamente dos familias cubanas viviendo en Niagara Falls entonces mucha gente no conocía la cultura. Alicia describe su vida viviendo en Niagara Falls donde primero conoció a su esposo y creció a su familia. Ella explica que su ético de trabajo la ayudó fuertemente a lograr sus metas especialmente porque ella se encontró enfrente de muchos desafíos. Eventualmente, Alicia se mudó a Búfalo donde ella se involucró en la comunidad hispana y tomó un puesto a Buffalo State College donde ella ayudó a desarrollar un programa para animar a los estudiantes hispanos que asisten a la universidad. Se nombró el Latin Extravaganza. En adición al reclutar a los estudiantes a Buffalo State College, ella se puso miembro de la Liga de Mujeres Hispanas, la cual es una organización sin ganas de lucro que les regala becas a mujeres hispanas y les anima asistir a una universidad local. Alicia explica cómo las mujeres se solicitan a la beca que sean más que amos de casa. Alicia también los varios aspectos de la comunidad hispana en Búfalo y los eventos diferentes de la comunidad que todavía toman lugar hoy en día. Alicia es muy orgullosa de sus raíces y siente que es importante mantenerlas.

Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library

2013-08-26

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English

Buffalo, NY