"It is my desire that this will be an
inspiration for our Latina women in Tennessee, in the whole country and the
world. Yes, we count!" ---Vilma
Cueva
Photo: Vilma Cueva and Chip Forrester, chairman of Tennessee Democratic Party, after she was chosen to be a delegate to the Democratic National Convention beginning Sept. 3 in Charlotte, NC
"Para leer en espanol"
Williamson
County is in the spotlight this presidential election year as social justice
activist Ashley Judd of Franklin and Hispanic activist Vilma Cueva of Spring
Hill have been selected to represent Tennessee at the Democratic National
Convention.
While
Ashley, more widely known as an actor than activist, will be a delegate for the
first time, she has been a long-time worker for human rights. Ashley recently has been speaking out for
American women, who are under siege from extremist Republicans who seem to long
for the days before women could vote or own property.
Vilma has worked as
an activist for Hispanic families. She
has registered numerous Latino Americans to vote, and she conducts workshops on
citizenship. Vilma is involved in issues
that affect women, children's health, poverty and educational opportunities and
fair treatment for disabled persons.
The
Democratic National Convention begins Sept. 3 in Charlotte, NC.
Vilma's
rallying cry to Latinos in Tennessee is this:
"If you are a resident, become a citizen. If you are a citizen,
register to vote. If you are registered
to vote, vote Democratic."
Attorney Gerard Stranch of
Franklin and Franklin's Elisa Parker, who is vice chair of the Tennessee
Democratic Party, are other Williamson Countians who will be convention
delegates.
"For me this is historic," said
Cueva, the day after she was chosen and after she wrapped up a Sunday afternoon
workshop she conducted on citizenship at a local church. "This is huge as
a woman and a Hispanic. I am vibrating from the experience. I am doing this for
thousands of women in Tennessee.
"Hispanic women need to understand
there is a purpose for being in this country besides our regular duties at
home," Cueva said. "We need to wake up and be involved and take
action.
"We
have a great value as
mothers. We count," said Cueva. "We are raising the next generation
of Americans. In our hands is the future of our children and our world.
Hispanic mothers need to be active in their community and vote and participate
in politics so people can respect you for who you are and what you do.
"For the entire Hispanic community,
this message needs to be heard loud and clear: We need to participate in
democracy and vote and get involved. The Democratic Party is willing to embrace
us so that we can participate in politics and shape the future of this
country."
Cueva, who was born in Peru, has been an
American citizen 14 years. She moved in
2003 to Spring Hill, where she lives with her husband Victor and two
American-born sons. Cueva is a member of
the Thompson Station Baptist Church, and she works as a bilingual specialist
for an insurance company.
Right: Ashley Judd with "Irene," whom Ashley met while on a humanitarian mission in Rwanda.
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