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Rosemary Mackey
(630)
293-2200 x139
rmackey@westchicago.org |
City of West
Chicago
475 Main
Street
West Chicago,
Illinois 60185 |
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Five Dynamic Women Behind West Chicago's
Mexican Independence Day Parade and Celebration
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Pictured from left to right, members of West Chicago's Mexican Independence Day Parade and Celebration committee: Pastor Maria Ramirez, Anna Rosalez, Valeria Perez, Sara Phalen and Jackie Ocampo-Gutierrez. |
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West Chicago, Illinois: August 19, 2010 - Cultivating the celebrated ethnic diversity of their community, five dynamic women, Pastor Maria Ramirez, Sara Phalen, Valeria Perez, Anna Rosalez and Jackie Ocampo-Gutierrez are the guiding forces of the West Chicago Mexican Independence Day Parade and Celebration which is scheduled for Sunday, September 12, 2010. Between them, they bring pride and passion for what is a significant thread in the rich tapestry that is West Chicago's history and heritage, and a desire to instill that spirit in the younger generation.
Their leadership roles on the event's planning committee and in the community through their various organizations (Out of Exile Ministries, People Made Visible, City of West Chicago, West Chicago Park District and Supermercado Tampico), have given them an opportunity to impact the culture and unity that is distinctly West Chicago.
Mayor Mike Kwasman has been a key supporter of their efforts, and his enthusiasm and encouragement has been unwavering. "This event is an important validation of cultural identity for our young people of Mexican descent. It serves to instill and reinforce pride in their cultural roots, while allowing the entire community to celebrate the diversity that makes West Chicago such a tremendous place in which to live and work," he said.
Pastor Maria Ramirez of Out of Exile Ministries believes everyone has a purpose and a plan. Her personal journey as a Mexican/American in West Chicago has taught her about giving back to a community that has given her so much. She arrived in the community when she was five years old and felt a strong need to fit in during the early years. "I was encouraged by my teachers at Community High School to pursue my dreams. I grew to know that someday I wanted to be a voice for others. I was the first person in my family to earn a college degree and each of my three children have succeeded in their chosen professions," she proudly shared. She and her husband began the non-denominational ministry which seeks to help people understand their special place in the world. She became involved with the planning committee for the Mexican Independence Day Parade and Celebration because the event speaks to their philosophy of "freedom for all people". Pastor Maria explains: "The celebration commemorates the events and people that resulted in Mexico's independence that put an end to centuries' old oppression". Today, Out of Exile Ministries strives to provide spiritual support and empowerment to those needing direction. Pastor Maria is proud of West Chicago for sponsoring the event and views the City as a role-model for other communities in embracing and celebrating its diversity.
Sara Phalen, co-founder of People Made Visible, a not-for-profit group seeking to facilitate community through dynamic art and social endeavors, has a strong connection to local history as the former West Chicago City Museum Registrar. In that role, she coordinated an exhibit titled Building Community: Creating a Dialogue About Mexican Contributions Through Oral Histories. The project was funded by a grant from the History Channel and took Sara into the community to document the oral histories of Mexican immigrants with the help of students from Community High School. The innovative preservation project was designed to bring the community together, actively engage children in the preservation of their local history and communicate the importance of saving local history for future generations. "Community partnerships are one of the goals of People Made Visible. Our group strives to address, celebrate and educate people about our diversity. The entire community benefits from this rich history." People Made Visible will launch the event by bringing an artist-in-residence to West Chicago for an interactive community project.
Valeria Perez is a face and voice for the Hispanic population at West Chicago's City Hall. She works in the Administration Department as the Public Information Officer and is often called upon frequently for her translation skills. Valeria has worked at the City since 2001 when she began her career as a student intern from Community High School District 94. Her position has evolved to include community outreach for residents and businesses. "It is a great honor to serve as the City liaison for the Mexican Independence Day Parade and Celebration," she said. Her enthusiasm has led to the growth of the committee and the introduction of many exciting cultural elements to the event.
Anna Rosalez has made a career out of fun and games, and she takes the job very seriously. As the Recreation Coordinator for the West Chicago Park District she is well-known to every segment of the population as she organizes events for tots through seniors. Her enthusiasm, originality and creativity has rewarded the community with successful programs such as Movies in the Park, Touch-a-Truck, Polar Express, Safety Town and more. Her connection to the Mexican Independence Day Parade and Celebration is a natural fit, and she will be bringing her talents to the coordination of children's Mexican-themed games and crafts. Anna's knowledge and affinity for Mexican history and tradition was introduced through her husband's family. "My mother-in-law came to the states from Aguascalientes in 1947, and my father-in-law from Galeana Nuevo Leon in 1951. They moved to West Chicago in 1954 and opened the Latin American Store in the former Miguel's Barbershop location on Main Street." Anna will host the children's activities for the celebration at the American Legion on Main Street.
Since 1990, Jackie Ocampo-Gutierrez' family has run Supermercado Tampico, a grocery store in downtown West Chicago. She attributes the great success her family has had developing a business in the community, which is soon to expand to a second location as Tampico Fresh Market on North Avenue and Route 59, because of the people it serves. Her involvement working on the Mexican Independence Day Committee is a way for her to give back and say thank you. She admits that events like this one are important on many levels. "While the music, food, and costumes may remind people of their background, it is equally important for others who may be unfamiliar to share in a different culture. The hope is that this event will attract people from every nationality to enjoy the best of the Mexican tradition."
For a schedule of the events that will be included in West Chicago's Mexican Independence Day Parade and Celebration on Sunday, September 12, 2010 from 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in downtown West Chicago, visit this page.
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Interior view of house when purchased by
Tom Cherrington in 2009. |
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Today, the house, which has sold to an appreciative buyer, has become a showpiece property for the neighborhood. |
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| CITY OF WEST
CHICAGO 475 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois
60185 T - (630)
293-2200 www.westchicago.org |
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