Browse Exhibits (30 total)

Lourdes Bennett was born in Lorain, Ohio in 1967 after her family migrated from Puerto Rico. She raised her own sons in Lorain, worked in Cleveland, and has served her  community through her work at El Centro de Servicios Sociales. In her interview, she discusses her childhood, family relationships, and work with El Centro.

“Lorain is special, it's not perfect just like any community but all the sacrifices that were made and to see where these families are now and the hardworks their parents and grandparents did, it brings joy to my heart to see that.”

Since its founding in 1987, the Coalition for Hispanic/Latino Issues and Progress (CHIP) has served Lorain's community members in a variety of ways. 

Antonio Barrios was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico in 1946 and migrated to Lorain, Ohio when he was five years old. His father was one of the first 500 workers recruited by U.S Steel in Lorain. As an adult, Barrios lived and worked in New York and Europe before returning to Lorain where he became involved in community activism and founded the Lorain Arts Council. In his interview, he discusses his travels and the past and future of Lorain.

Victor Leandry was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1965 but grew up in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico with a degree in social work,  moved to Lorain, Ohio in 1991, and now serves as the Executive Director of El Centro de Servicios Sociales. In his interview, he discusses his childhood, migration to Lorain, and pride in his work and community.

Rico Reveron was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico in 1944 and migrated to Cleveland, Ohio when he was ten years old. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1965 and was stationed in Montgomery, Alabama and  Wichita Falls, Texas. After leaving the service, he moved to Cleveland and worked as an usher for sports teams, including the Cavaliers and Guardians. In his interview, he discusses the benefits of military service and calls for full inclusion and representation of Puerto Rico within the United States.

Raul Garcia was born and grew up in Lorain, Ohio in a Mexican-American family. He served in the Navy and traveled to Hawaii and Alaska, as well as Italy, Spain, and Hong Kong. In his interview, Garcia discusses his early life, experiences in the service, and perspective and advice as a veteran.

Judy Reveron was born in Puerto Rico 1945 and moved to Lorain, Ohio at seventeen. She married her husband, Rico Reveron, in 1967 and they lived on the Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he was stationed. In her interview, she discusses community among military families and linguistic isolation.

Cindy Ortiz was born in 1972 and grew up in Lorain, Ohio. While her husband was in the service, they lived in Virginia Beach, Charleston, SC, and Washington, and she worked in retail. After his discharge, they returned to Lorain to raise a family. In her interview, she discusses her Catholic faith, Puerto Rican heritage and identity, and the meaning or service.

Antonio Baez was born and raised in Lorain, Ohio in a Puerto Rican family, the youngest of five brothers. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at seventeen, serving in Iraq and Kuwait. He joined the reserves after leaving active duty, and has worked with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D, Ohio) and in the Office of Legislative Affairs. In his interview, he discusses his young adulthood, service, and career. 

Hector Garcia was born in South Bronx, New York in 1983 and grew up in Brooklyn in a Puerto Rican and Dominican family. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at seventeen and deployed in Okinawa, Japan, as well as Spain, France, Cyprus, Jordan, Kuwait, and Iraq. After working as a recruiter, he left the service and entered social work. In his interview, he discusses overcoming challenges, serving others, and the role of the military in his life.

Ed Garza was born in Mansfield, Ohio in 1950 and grew up in South Lorain. He enlisted in the Army as a minor and served in Vietnam from 1967-1969, working for security, the court, and the police after leaving the service. In his interview, he discusses his young adulthood, the experience of combat, and his reflections on politics, discrimination, war, and peace.

Alicia Marquez was born in Amherst, Ohio in 1951 and grew up in Lorain, where her parents had migrated from Puerto Rico to work in the steel mills. In her interview, she discusses her neighborhood’s rich cultural life and her brother’s lives as soldiers and musicians in their own band, Los Nombres. She reflects on the impacts of military service and the need to preserve cultural knowledge.

Celestino Rivera was born in Lorain, Ohio in 1949. His father was one of the first 500 Puerto Rican workers recruited to work in US Steel. Rivera enlisted in the U.S. Army at age seventeen and served in Germany and Vietnam from 1966-1969. After leaving the service, he worked as a police officer in Lorain and served as Lorain’s Police Chief for man years. In his interview, Rivera discusses the challenges of his youth, his relationship with his family and community, and his work in law enforcement.  Rivera passed away on June 22, 2022.

Merida Rodriguez was born in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico in 1950 and grew up in Lorain, Ohio. In her interview, she describes the impact of the draft in her community during the Vietnam War, and her experiences as a veteran’s wife in the years that have followed. Rodriguez attributes a sense of strength and compassion to this experience and calls for greater mental health education.

Juanita Senquiz was born in Lorain, Ohio. She has served as the president of the Coalition for Hispanic Issues and Progress (CHIP) and former principal of Lorain City Schools, having worked for the school system for over thirty years. In her interview, she describes her experiences growing up and raising her own family in the community, and the importance of leadership and respect for others.