The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, September 13, 1988-- Page 3 Week focuses on Hispanic women BY DONNA IADIPAOLO AND SCOTT LAHDE Hispanic women should challenge themselves to play a more active role in society, said Dr. Mildred Tirado last night at a ceremony kicking off National Hispanic Her- itage Week. Giving the keynote address in the Michigan Union entitled, "Hispanic Women: Agenda for the '90s", Tirado encouraged about 25 students and administrators to reflect upon their identity as one people. The week of events entitled, "Five Hundred Years of Hispanic Heritage: 1492-1992: The Women's Contribution," focuses not only upon the past achievements of Hispanic women, but the present roles of women in society and their future goals. "The week is a celebration of of our heritage," said LSA graduate Doris Geldres. "Her speech addresses issues which are not well known." Tirado said, "...this week we are celebrating, and yes, this week we are challenging ourselves and each other as a strong and noble people to reach greater heights." She said the week's focus on women's issues is appropriate be- cause of the "duality of expectations and observed behaviors (of women), one which calls for dependence and submission and one which calls for perseverance and active involvement in the environment." . But this problem extends beyond the millions of Hispanic women and is a personal history for Tirado. Tirado, whose father was a sugar cane cutter and mother a factory worker in Puerto Rico, explained 'For most of us who struggle with minority status - a status in this country which very often denotes stigma and shame -this is a special event.' Dr. Mildred Tirado, keynote speaker for the University's Hispanic Heritage Week. how coming to this country with a language barrier - along with prej- udice against Hispanics - set the seed for contempt in their family. "For most of us who struggle with minority status - a status in this country which very often de- notes stigma and shame - this is a special event," Tirado said. "It is a time to stop and rest, a break from our busy schedules, to take a breather and to reflect on our identity as a people - a people of many colors and customs, but all sheltered under the umbrella of Latino, Hispanic." Dr. Roselle Wilson, assistant 4o the vice president of student services, said women of color should progress from the foundation of the work force to leadership positions. In addition, graduate student Daniel Melendez, a native of Puerto Rico, said the traditional roles of men and women need to be re- assessed. "The roles are under siege," Me- lendez said. He explained that both the women's and men's roles of home and work, along with social responsibility, must be shared equally. Melendez's philosophy was shared by Tirado. "Stratification and stigma are of particular importance to women. I also know that these issues are relevant to all Hispanics.'* Hispanic American Week is sponsored by the Office of Minority Affairs.r Adoleena Gonzalez, an LSA s4- nior and president of Socially Activ* Latino Students Association, praise1 the University in part for their sup- port. But she added, "We still have a long road ahead of us." Tirado received her Ph.D frosi Columbia University in Counseling Psychology. For three years Dr. Tirado was employed as a psycho)j- gist by the University. Prior to that she was the Hispanic representative in the Minority Student Services for three years. DAVID LUBLINER/Daily Mildred Tirado speaks about Hispanic women last night to kick off Hispanic Heritage Week at the Michigan Union. Activities + BY LIZ ROHAN The University has 18 libraries and more than 500 student activities. Not all students take advantage of both - but many say getting in- volved with the activities will make the libraries Easier to take. Students organize their time better when they get involved with activities, said Julie Lavrick, a consultant at the Student Organization Develop- ment Center. "It also gives them another network of friends. The University may seem a bit big but if you join an organization, it makes it seem smaller and you find your place." "IT TAKES away from studying, but if you organize you'll get it done," said Susan Goldfarb, vice president of programming and development at the University Activities Center. VAC sponsors educational, cultural, and entertainment events such as Impact Jazz, Homecoming and The Comedy Company. "Everyday you learn something different. People should know the University has more to i1 can fill, organize time offer besides fraternities and sports," Goldfarb said. "It's a good way to balance a hard day at school," said Engineering junior Chris McRay, lighting director at UAC. There are over 500 student organizations offi- cially registered with The Michigan Student As- sembly. In addition to these groups - which1 range from the Student Film Club to the Univer- sity Bowling Club to the Skydiving Club - there are an estimated 100 other University and community organizations. At the annual Festifall, Sept. 16, many of these groups will sponsor information tables on the Diag. BUT STUDENTS don't have to be limited to activities that already exist, said Jim Slkta, who founded the University Debate Team - financed by UAC - four years ago. "It's an excellent student activity with an academic side," said Debate Coach Steve Mancuso. "It involves re- search and analysis of current events and philosophies." The team, which competes against Ivy League and other Big Ten universities, was ranked num- ber one in the nation last summer. "You have to be persistent in getting an activ- ity started. You have to be creative," said Speta, "But before you start your own, certainly try and investigate and see all the different things to do here." BOTH LAVRACK and students leaders say students should be prepared for their first roles in University organizations to be small ones. Susan Overdorf, MSA vice president, said her first MSA position as a first-year student was as a committee member. But "I ended up going to Washington at the end of my first year to lobby for educational funding," Susan said MSA has 12 committees focusing on a vari- ety of issues - from the Budget Priorities Committee, responsible for allocating money to students, to the Minority Affairs Committee, which works to improve life for minority stu- dents. University of Wisconsin Platteville + f 0 GET IT! The Personal Column MICHIGAN DAILY CWSASFIEDADS 9 '-a. . n. PRE-MED ORI ENTATION . j S MEETING INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION Course requirements, admissions process, preparation for medical school, guest medical speaker, the medical school experience, and more... All THURSDAY, SEPT. 15 7 p.m. - Auditorium A Hall Angell Career Planning and Placement A Unit of Student Services The University of Michigan I Study in %eve aimn Emphases in Liberal Arts International Business Courses available in Spanish and in English Fluency in Spanish not required All courses approved by UW-Platteville and validated on an official UW-Platteville transcript $3225 per semester for Wisconsin & Minnesota residents. $3475 per semester for non-residents. Eatin' in the rainJ No, it's not really raining. School of Natural Resources Prof. Terry Root is just sitting by a fountain while she chats with graduate students Laura Ziemer during lunch yesterday. THE LIST What's happening in Ann Arbor today CLASSIFIED ADSI Call 764-0557 RESUME SERVICE University of Michigan Get all The News delivered every morning. The Detroit News Student Discount s1.00 per week For dorm & off campus delivery, call 973-7177 r------ -- -- - -- -- - -- -- -, I YES! Send me Michigan's largest newspaper at BIG SAVINGS. I have enclosed my check or money order t (made payable to The Detroit News) for:f Qi $15 Fall Term (15 weeks) $15 Winter Term (15 weeks) I 9/10 to 12/22/87 1/6 to 4/29/88 For more information call 973-7177. . Speakers "Toughened Polymer Alloys" - Professor Albert Yee of the Macromolecular Science and Engineering Dr_narfm , w nirli . rnnm101- A_ Futhermore Revolutionary History Series - "Socialism: Future or Fantasy?". Pr..nt. Ke db.arl a ,evol;tioa r