This is the final part of a series of intergenerational conversations highlighting the stories of Latinos in Rhode Island – a collaboration with local oral history project Nuestras Raíces, which means “our roots.” Go to nuestrasraicesri.net to learn more about the project.
TRANSCRIPT:
Maria Rivera: I grew up in a poor household. My family was on assistance when I was really young. With parents, I never met my father – I grew up with my stepfather, with a mother who went to school up to sixth grade. So I wanted to make sure to be that person and that voice for a lot of the residents in the community who also went through a lot of challenges that we went through. But I have to tell you, my “aha” moment was when I won my mayor’s race. I was sworn in at midnight on January 1st. I’ll never forget because I said I wanted to start working on January 1st. I was sworn in, and when I walked into my office and sat in my chair, that was my “aha” moment. Like, this is reality. This is no longer about fun and games, and knocking on doors and having conversations with residents about, you know, the good things, the bad things, what my priorities were. This was about getting to work.
Lorraine Quintero: I would just love to say like, as someone who grew up in Central Falls, when you won on that election day, I just remember my entire household was just celebrating. We were all so amazed and proud of the accomplishment. And, you know, just being able to look up to someone like yourself, a mayor, someone of Puerto Rican heritage, somebody who, you know, has lived in Central Falls, who has raised their kids there. It’s just absolutely amazing what you’ve been able to accomplish. … And so I would love to know, how do you feel your identity as a Latina woman has influenced your desire and your ability to serve in a public office?
Rivera: It’s so important because I’m empowering women of color like you. You and I have had conversations about, you could be the next mayor of the city. I’m the first, but I know I’m not going to be the last. And it’s my responsibility to make sure that I work to empower young women of color, for them to understand that they, too, could be in my seat. It took way too long for a woman to be in my seat, especially a Puerto Rican woman. We’re U.S. citizens. It should have not taken this long. But the work that I have been doing, especially over these past two years, has been focused on really empowering young women, young women of color. We have had many initiatives. And it’s so overwhelming when I walk into schools, you know, when I walk into the learning community, and you have a fifth grade class who have pictures of me all over the wall. When I, when they come into City Hall, because they want to bring me something, because they drew me, or they have a picture of us together – that tells me why it’s so important for me as a Latina to be in this position, because I have so many girls looking up to me. And it’s my responsibility to continue that work. I should have not been the first. I’m glad I’m the first. But I, I need to set the example and continue empowering young women to be in the position to, to truly understand and let it sink in, that you, too, can be in my position.
Quintero: That is so amazing. I really love that you have had, you know, youth voice, you know, be so important to what you’re doing in City Hall. I know like, for my experience growing up, that’s where I really started to feel empowered. Like I got an internship at City Hall, and that’s what made me interested in government and being a public servant. And so that was just so transformative for me, especially when, you know, you’re a kid that grows up, grows up in Central Falls, there are a lot of inequities that we see every single day day in and day out. Our community can be forgotten a lot of times, but you know, I had someone say, “come on in, like, this is how your government works.” And that’s really what ignited the passion that I have to be a public servant. So I think that’s amazing. And that’s what’s gonna get the next generation of Maria Riveras in the house. So that’s just awesome. … And I would love to know, what would you advise is the most important skill for someone who is interested in running for office to possess? What would you advise your younger self?
Rivera: The first advice is, you know, really think about it. You have passion for this. Be true to yourself. Be true to yourself. There’s going to be a lot of people, there are going to be a lot of people trying to tell you how to do things, what to do, what to focus on. You need to listen to yourself, trust your instinct. Be true to yourself.
