Miracle Theatre Group Presents MUNDO DE LAS MUJERES, 3/5

This year, Miracle Theatre Group recognizes International Women's Day with a multi-disciplinary presentation about cultural and social influences facing Latina teenagers regarding healthy relationships and pregnancy.
 
This year's program, which will be held Saturday, March 5, 2011 at El Centro Milagro (525 SE Stark St., Portland) begins with a 45-minute Spanish-language dramatization of real-life stories, directed by Veronika Nuñez and featuring a number of familiar faces from past Miracle Theatre Group productions.
 
Following the presentation, a panel discussion will be moderated by Leticia Hernandez, Linfield College's Financial Aid & Scholarship Outreach Counselor who not only assists Latinas with financial aid but, in some cases, guides teen mothers to achieve self-empowerment and hope for their future and the future of their family.
 
Among the panelists will be Nancy Ochoa, Youth Program Director for Adelante Mujeres who also created Adelante Chicas from 2008-2010, a program that provides programming for young Latina students to promote education, leadership, positive cultural identity, healthy lifestyles and community development.  Other invited panelists include: Dr. Bruce Goldberg: Director of the Oregon Department of Human Services and Director Oregon; Consuelo Saragoza, MPA: Senior Advisor of Public Health & Community Initiatives of Multnomah County Health Department and who also leads the Latina Teen Pregnancy Disparity Workgroup; and a representative from the National Council of La Raza's the National Campaign to prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
 
Throughout the afternoon, patrons are invited to visit a free bilingual resource health fair held in El Centro Milagro, where donations of used cell phones will be accepted on behalf of the the Portland's Women's Crisis Line. Among the participating organizations are: MANA de Portland; Opciónes y Educación under the Latino Sexual Health Coalition; and the Latina Teen Pregnancy Disparity Workgroup.
 
Mundo de las Mujeres is sponsored by the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition and supported by the Regional Arts & Culture Council/Work for Art.
 
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. Miracle Theatre Group began observing this event three years ago with a presentation about brutal murders of women in Ciudad Juarez. In 2009, the theatre turned its attention to women's choices and challenges of women's roles in the home and the professional workplace. Last year, the theatre presented issues of mental wellness among Latinas. For more information about other events recognizing International Women's Day around the world, visit http://www.internationalwomensday.com.
 
ABOUT MIRACLE THEATRE GROUP
The Miracle Theatre Group has been dedicated to bringing the vibrancy of Latino theatre to the Northwest community and beyond for more than 25 years. In addition to its national tours, Miracle provides a home for Spanish and Latin American arts and culture at El Centro Milagro, where it enriches the local community with a variety of community outreach projects and educational programs designed to share the diversity of Latino culture. For more information about the Miracle Theatre Group, visit www.milagro.org or call 503-236-7253.