Mujeres de Maiz is set to celebrate women's month by commemorating their 27th anniversary
The Californer/10273098

LOS ANGELES - Californer -- The culmination of their anniversary, book release, live art show, and the generous grant awarded honors pivotal milestones for Mujeres de Maiz, a women's organization rooted in East Los Angeles.

Mujeres de Maíz celebrates its 27th Anniversary of Mujeres de Maíz with 'Mujeres de Maíz En Movimiento' book release and live art show celebration on April 7, 2024 from 5-8pm.

'Mujeres de Maíz En Movimiento', is set to bring to one stage the writings, work, and women of Mujeres de Maiz including performances by Dr. Martha E. Gonzalez (Quetzal), "pláticas y palabras" (panels), prayer and poetry remixed into one event and the release of the anthological book documenting the deep decades-long herstory of Mujeres de Maiz.

'Mujeres de Maíz en Movimiento' will take place at The Flor y Canto Center, 2900 Calle Pedro Infante, Los Angeles, CA 90063 (Boyle Heights). Get your free ticket on Eventbrite and pre-order your book 'Mujeres de Maíz en Movimiento: Spiritual Artivism, Healing Justice and Feminist Praxis' Package. https://mujeresdemaiz.eventbrite.com

The book Mujeres de Maíz en Movimiento: Spiritual Artivism, Healing Justice and Feminist Praxis, by Amber Rose González (Editor), Felicia 'Fe' Montes (Editor), Nadia Zepeda (Editor), features 40 essays, testimonies, and poems as well as 20 works of art in color by artivists, authors, and academics spanning a variety of topics. The project's multidisciplinary, intergenerational, and critical-creative intervention, coupled with the unique subject matter, makes the book a must-have for high school and college students, activist scholars, artists, community organizers, and others invested in social justice and liberation.

The work of Mujeres de Maiz is made possible in part by the generosity of patrons like The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, their 'Humanities in Place' program and grant of $600,000. With this funding Mujeres de Maiz is able to launch 'Rooted and Rising: Cultivating a Movement Milpa,' a 3 year project which will center on building solid organizational infrastructure, responding to demographic needs, and systematizing Mujeres de Maiz' signature and highly requested programming. Mellon funding will support consultations with community members and key stakeholders, such as cultural bearers, to shape their future programs. Most importantly, with Mellon's support Mujeres de Maiz will be able to expand their staff, including executive positions to solidify the organization's sustainability. Funds will also support curated events and public programming featuring artists, poets, musicians, and culture-bearers.

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Mujeres de Maiz Director, Felicia Montes, says "the Mellon Foundation's grant and the release of the anthological book documenting the deep decades-long "herstory" of Mujeres de Maíz, marks a new era for East LA women's organization–what a way to honor Women's Herstory Month!"

ABOUT MUJERES DE MAÍZ:
Mujeres de Maiz (women of the corn) was founded in 1997 as a grassroots, multimedia women's activist organization based in East Los Angeles, California. Mujeres de Maiz utilizes community partnerships, mainly those developed with local artists, performers, educators, and organizers in the creation and implementation of our programming. These partnerships are primarily with Chicana/Latina college graduates between ages 25-65 who are involved in the cultural, artistic and educational tapestry of the greater Los Angeles area. Mujeres de Maiz regularly collaborates with women artists and educators of African, Central and South American, Jewish, Filipina, Asian, Native American and Sri Lankan descent who recognize the need and potential of cross-racial solidarity.

As an intercultural, intergenerational and interdisciplinary collective they have made that space from the stage to the page, the gallery to the streets, and ceremony and wellness world for womxn of color by sharing their own specific blend of mind, body, spirit and cultural work.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Our collection, Mujeres de Maíz en Movimiento: Spiritual Artivism, Healing Justice and Feminist Praxis, features 40 essays, testimonies, and poems as well as 20 works of art in color by artivists, authors, and academics spanning a variety of topics. The project's multidisciplinary, intergenerational, and critical-creative intervention, coupled with the unique subject matter, makes the book a must-have for high school and college students, activist scholars, artists, community organizers, and others invested in social justice and liberation. Book Published by the University of Arizona Press. Book cover art painting by Margaret Alarcon of Felicia Montes, from 1999.

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ABOUT MUJERES DE MAIZ EN MOVIMIENTO:
The book release and live art show will feature the following artivists.
Opening: Jessa Calderon
Emcee: D'Lo
Platicas en Movimiento. Bringing to life the Art, Activism, Palabra and Poesia in the book:
● Introduction to the book by Dr. Amber Rose Gonzalez
● Situating the book by Maestra Celia Herrera Rodríguez
● Herstory video on Mujeres de Maíz by Claudia Mercado
● Healing and Wellbeing within Mujeres de Maiz with: Dr. Nadia Zepeda and In Lak Ech
● Music and Maestra teachings of Dr. Martha E. Gonzalez (Quetzal) and Jessa Calderon
● Visual Arts platica with artist Lilia Ramirez "Liliflor" and art historian, Michelle L. Lopez
● Palabra & Poetry with Dr. Norell Martinez, Faith Santilla and Iris de Anda
● Closing dance party with Dj Sizzle of Cumbiaton

ABOUT THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION:
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the nation's largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive.
Learn more at: https://www.mellon.org/grant-programs/humanities-in-place
Website: https://www.mujeresdemaiz.com/