MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Hispanic and Latino leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference across the state.
Profiles of these leaders will be published over the course of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. These are people readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Maria Acosta Cruz, a professor of language, literature and culture at Clark University in Worcester.Courtesy of Maria Acosta Cruz
Maria Acosta Cruz
Age: 68
Community: Northampton and Worcester
Her story: Since 1986, Maria Acosta Cruz has educated new generations of Spanish speakers from her Clark University classroom. But along the way, she and her students are also giving back to their wider Worcester community.
In one class, Acosta Cruz’s students help Worcester nonprofits and organizations translate their documents, forms and informational material from English to Spanish and Spanish to English, expanding its reach to wider swaths of the community. She was amazed that in a community as diverse as Worcester, where nearly one in five residents speak Spanish at home, many organizations did not already have resources available in Spanish.
“The volume of information that exists only in English is always kind of shocking to students and to me,” Acosta Cruz said.
Her students have assisted UMass Chan Medical School, local charities, the YMCA and other organizations. One group’s documents helped people access mental and emotional support services, but only had material in English, Acosta Cruz said.
Born and raised in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, Acosta Cruz has a keen interest in the Hispanic cultures of the Caribbean. She is working on a book project, Disaster Nation, exploring how five centuries of environmental disasters have been represented in the region’s literature and art. It will follow an earlier book, Dream Nation, about how ideas of independence were represented in Puerto Rico between the 19th and 21st centuries.
In her words: “It fills you with energy to work with people who are 18 to 22, but it’s also sometimes mystifying the things they’re interested in. That’s always a challenge, finding a connection with a population that always stays young … I just love the language and I love seeing people who are interested in learning. I love helping people learn something I love so much.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
