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The interview took place in Olga’s home in Buffalo, NY on August 13, 2003 and was conducted by Alma Carrillo. Olga was born in Cuba and came to the US in 1960. She then moved to Buffalo in 1966 when she graduated and got a PhD from Harvard in Latin…

This interview with Noemi Velazquez took place on July 23, 2014 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Maritza Vega. Noemi was born in Puerto Rico and migrated with her family to Western New York. Noemi explains why so many Puerto Ricans migrated to the…

This interview with Nivian Rodriguez Perez took place on October 24, 2013 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Nivian Rodriguez Perez was born in Puerto Rico but moved to Buffalo in 1952 when she was 9 years old. She was placed in a…

Music, dance and general performances were important ways to express Hispanic/Latino cultures. Many community members participated in cultural activities to maintain ties with their cultures and share their arts with the community.

Moises Mendez, Member Spanish-American Welfare Club – Ridge Road in Lackawanna, NY

Mina and Ned, prominent community members: marriage photograph and recent photograph.

This interview with Miguel Santos took place on March 1, 2012 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Miguel arrived in Buffalo to find that there was a growing Hispanic population and became actively involved in supporting it. Miguel…

Centro Social Mexicano on Ingham Avenue, Lackawanna NY circa 1961 Standing: Wally Tipinko, Ramon Apodaka, Woody Catowski, Ernie Matta Jr., Americo Felix, John Sanabria, Chet Nowak, Bobby Garcia. Kneeling: Tony Matta, Jackie Catowski, Carl…

During World War II, women occupied the jobs that men who were fighting in the war once took. Mercedes "Bessie" Mendez was one of the women in the community who worked at Bethlehem Steel during the war. Once the war ended, the men returned to the…

Men Cursillo Movement “De Colores” - The Cursillo Movement was a pilgrimage to a place where parishioners could pray and get to strengthen their faith. This was a men's only group.