San Juan, PR Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz to Speak At SSU

SALEM, MASS. – A frontline leader in civic engagement and environmental justice will come to Salem State University this week, where a city on the water sees increasing threats from ocean rise and climate change.

Carmen Yulín Cruz, mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico when it was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, will join a panel this week titled “Lifting As We Climb: Environmental Justice, Civic Engagement and Leadership.” The event will be held in the Petrowski Room in Marsh Hall, 71B Loring Ave., from 12:15-1:30 pm.

The goal of the event is to encourage conversation about environmental justice, civic engagement and authentic leadership with a focus on regional gateway communities and the global impact of increasingly severe storms as the country faces another hurricane season fueled by global warming. Salem is a gateway community alongside several of its neighbors.

Cruz will be joined by John Valinch, a first-generation Puerto-Rican/American college graduate whose life is devoted to catalyzing change and amplifying the power of marginalized communities. His journey in the environmental justice movement and broader social justice movement began at the age of 15 when he fought to stop a diesel power plant from being built in his hometown of Chelsea.

In her role as mayor, Carmin Yulín Cruz achieved global recognition in 2017 as she advocated for the people of Puerto Rico after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. She became a strong advocate for getting much-needed help and dignified care for the people of Puerto Rico. As a result of her relentless efforts, numerous non-governmental organizations and private companies supported the recovery efforts for San Juan and the rest of the Island. Cruz’ term in office ended in 2020 as she staged an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid.

The event, to be moderated by local state Rep. Manny Cruz, came together in part because of Salem State University’s identity as an emerging Hispanic-serving institution, which drew the interest of both Cruz and Valinch, according to Elisa Castillo, assistant vice president for HSI-MSI Initiatives.

“Given our focus on sustainability, civic engagement and our identity as an emerging Hispanic serving institution, Salem State University is the perfect fit for this important conversation,” Castillo said.

Visit the event page for more information.