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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Sigma
Lambda Upsilon/Seņoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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March 9, 2005
With
Special Guest Piri Thomas Binghamton,
NY - The Hermanas of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas
Unidas Sorority, Inc. are "Bringing It Back to the Mecca"
by hosting "Nuestra Noche: A Night of Floetry With Piri Thomas",
at the Sorority's Alpha Chapter in the Mandela Room at Binghamton
University on Saturday, April 9, 2005. The purpose
of the banquet is to serve as a vehicle to showcase the hidden talents
of Latinos within our community, educate the public about the Latino
culture and dissipate the stereotypes created by society while encompassing
the sorority's national philanthropy of literacy. The program
will begin with a presentation on "Cultural Roots of Latino Identity"
by the famous writer, poet and storyteller Piri Thomas in the New
Union Hall from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. followed by the sorority's banquet
at 7 p.m. The event will include music, food and performances by the
sorority's very own PEARLS Program participants, Binghamton University
student poets, local singers and dance groups as well as a keynote
address by Piri Thomas about his life and work. Piri Thomas
was born Juan Pedro Tomás, of Puerto Rican and Cuban parents
in New York City's Spanish Harlem in 1928. He began his struggle for
survival, identity, and recognition at an early age. Being faced with
poverty, racism, and street crime was difficult for him growing up
and had an extreme affect on him. However, he was able to rise above
his experiences with drugs and gang warfare, and made a better life
for himself. In 1967,
both his career and fame as an author were launched when publishing
his autobiography, Down These Mean Streets. Other critically acclaimed
works by Mr. Thomas includes Savior, Savior Hold My Hand, Seven Long
Times, a chronicle of one man's experience in New York's dehumanizing
penal system, and Stories from El Barrio, a collection of short stories. "We
specifically chose Piri Thomas because we felt that he is very inspirational.
I particularly contacted him because I can remember reading his book
Down These Mean Streets in high school and not being able to put it
down. It's one of my favorite books. It's so educational and REAL…
You don't have to be Latino to relate to it. I believe that our guests
will enjoy what Piri has to say and can learn a lot from him,"
says Fiorella Ramirez, Alpha Chapter President. Sigma Lambda
Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. was founded
on December 1, 1987 at Binghamton University as an organization that
would provide sisterhood and support while also promoting academic
achievement, service to the community and cultural enrichment. Today,
17 years later, the sorority's purpose remains to unite women committed
to seeking the political and social advancement of the under-represented
populations. Through the Hermanas leadership, the sorority has 26
undergraduate chapters at over 30 campuses, 13 graduate -professional
chapters and has touched the lives of more than over 300 women. Please Support "Nuestra Noche: A Night of Floetry With Piri Thomas". To Make a Donation, Please Contact Hermana Fiorella Ramirez at alphachapter87@yahoo.com To Learn More About the Life and Works of Piri Thomas, log onto www.cheverote.com/piri.html ###
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