Her monthly Saturday activity of telling classical children’s stories in Spanish and English are not only an exercise in literature but an exercise in closing the divide between cultures. Mrs. Guadalupe Parrales has voluntarily dedicated two years to this venture for her love of literature and her love of her new community in Hampton Roads. “I want to be like a bridge to join the cultures,” says Mrs. Parrales. This grand Mexican woman determines to do even more to change the stereotyping of Hispanics in our area.

Profession?
Before marriage, I worked four years for a North American chemical company named American Cyanamid. I was the executive assistant for their department of Formica. I also worked in the Del Monte Company product sales. And I worked as Director of Operations for the Beecham Pharmaceutical Company. I enjoyed my position in each and every one of my jobs. Each one of my positions and responsibilities attached maintained my desired work in a professional level. I’ve also worked in other professions in Mexico such as, Family Counselor and Spanish teacher.

Training?
After marriage, I studied at the Institute of Science for Families through LOMA. There I took two years of courses in Family Orientation, Home Economics, and Human Development. I participated in and attended many workshops and classes with topics on early childhood development, conflict resolution, children’s literature, behavior modification in the classroom and the home, and character development. I find my having been a student of Spanish and English Literature is as much of training as these other courses. It has helped as preparation for my current profession, even though it is currently voluntary. I am looking into evaluations of my transcripts and transferable credits for the courses completed in Mexico. I would like to apply my former training to gain employment in the Hampton Roads area.

Hampton Roads neighborhood you live in now? How long?
I live in Chesapeake, VA for two years now.

Family: number of children and age range?
I am married fourteen years and have three children ages 12, 8, and 4.

Do your children speak Spanish fluently?
Yes! All of my children speak Spanish and are involved in all of my community activities in English and Spanish.

Who was a personal mentor or role model that influenced your life choices? Why?
I find a role model in the Virgin Mary because of her contemplation, prayer life, and self-confidence amidst adversity.
Pope John Paul II is also a role model because of his desires of uniting, accepting, and reaching out to other religious groups.

A song, word, or phrase that describes your life. Why?
Song – Thanks to Life
Word – Perseverance
Phrase – Trust in the future

Was there a moment that defined you culturally different?
Yes, I guess there may have been a moment when I have felt different. We’re all different even if we share the same culture. However, being different is what is exciting about diversity in a culture. We can learn positive things from one another. I haven’t felt any disadvantages or different treatment in the Hampton Roads area. To tell you the truth, I feel Hampton Roads doesn’t offer the many cultural and artistic activities I had for my children in Mexico.

Favorite Hispanic personality: Why?
I have several favorite Hispanic personalities that live in the United States and never loose their interest in contributing of their cultural origins.
In music – Carlos Santana
In politics – Villareigosa
In literature – Sandra Cisneros
I will also name a few more favorite personalities that live in their own countries: Carlos Fuentes, Gabriel García Márquez, Vargas Llosa. I had the thrill of meeting Gabriel García Márquez in person. The experience caused much nervousness to think that I was talking to and getting an autograph from such a famous personality such as Márquez.

Compare a difference from how you were raised and how you raised your children or grandchildren in Hampton Roads?
Well, I was born in Mexico City, and in my days children played outside of their homes with neighbors and without fear. The weather was always so pleasant to play a lot outdoors. Now, for my children, because of such different weather changes our activities have to happen more indoors. Also, I was not raised with the opportunity of a bilingual education, but my children do have this opportunity. However, my upbringing and education was very good and full of artistic activities. Here I find it difficult to find activities in theater, creative arts, literary encounters, or concerts for my children like in Mexico.

How well do you think the United States in general, but Hampton Roads in particular, has done in creating opportunities and accommodating Spanish-speaking people?
I don’t have too much opinion of this issue in only two years living here even though I have noticed there are not many bilingual signs in the community or people who speak Spanish in many of the stores. But I am convinced that anyone who is honorable and prepared professionally can have the opportunity of work wherever they choose to live in the world.

What influence do you think the Hispanic population has had on the Hampton Roads community?
I see a lot of influence in the area of many Latino restaurants.

Of what life achievements are you most proud?
I am sincerely proud of having given my children a good education. But having the opportunity now to influence and educate other families, even in a small way, gives me much pride. In my volunteer work at Chittum Elementary in Chesapeake, I am assigned students. I help these Spanish speaking students and families who have recently arrived to the area. I help them accommodate to community and school expectations. I give my time to tell them of many basic important details to help adults and children survive cultural changes. We talk about nutrition, helping with homework, and I have even shared the ways to hold a textbook to those children who were not afforded an education before Chittum Elementary.

How do you see yourself giving back to the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads?
I initiated a literary reading project at the Russell Memorial Library in Chesapeake. It is called, ‘Spanish Storytime’. It is a bilingual storytelling time and my friend Mrs. Patricia Pereyra is my English counterpart. We read in both Spanish and English every second Saturday of every month. We’ve had an average of forty attendees of all ages even though it is meant for younger children. I plan the reading with interactive audience participation too. I started this reading activity with the goal of keeping Spanish speakers in tuned with their native tongue, but English speakers have attended it more and this is very good. It is good for the audience to hear the readings from a native speaker. I have purchased and donated many literature books from Mexico to the Russell library collection. I don’t want the stories that only tell about the “poor Mexicans” being read to the public. How will we ever break the stereotyping of Hispanics only reading books like that to the public?

I also give my volunteer time at Chittum Elementary in Chesapeake as I mentioned before. I help children from different Spanish speaking countries that enter the school community. Many of them don’t have the academic background to integrate quickly in the North American schools. I try to explain the material being covered by the teacher. I guess I’m like a tutor. I give my voluntary time two days a week and I have my own classroom.

Have you ever received community awards or merits?
Yes! I have been recognized with awards and certificates from the two places where I serve as volunteer. I received the first Betty Campen Volunteer award given in 2007.

Words of wisdom for the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads
I would tell the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads the following:
1) Where ever you go leave a good seed
2) Learn from others
3) Represent my Spanish roots with pride so you will leave a positive contribution to others.
4) Accept the fact that there will be those who don’t value our Spanish inheritance or our motives. But don’t ever let this be a reason or excuse to stop acting with integrity and principles.

What is your favorite cultural dish?
I love Caribbean food and Italian food seduces me too. But my Mexican food provokes the best of memories.

Hobbies:
I love to laugh, attend workshops and learning experiences, and to read. I also love a good meal, theater and dancing.

Guadalupe Parrales hopes to develop more bilingual life changing opportunities and workshops for adults. She is determined to break stereotyping of Hispanics through her every effort. Expect to see much more of this determined woman. ¡Aplauda Hampton Roads! IRM