The Border Book Festival is pleased to present the work of Las Del Jueves, young mothers who are members the Evenstart Family Literacy Program of the Las Cruces Public Schools, under the direction of Corina Gabaldón. They begin a writing workshop several years ago under the auspices of the Border Book Festival. The workshop leader was Margarita Vélez.

Las del Jueves have worked hard to write their unique and powerful stories, poems and sentiments in this, their first book.

Members of Las del Jueves include: Abi Izquierdo Báez, Guadalupe Hernández, Ignacia Palma, Ana D. Reyes, Cynthia Salas, Alma Delia Saucedo and María Terrazas.

In November 2002, Las del Jueves was invited to read their work at the National Evenstart Conference in Washington, D.C. They also read their work at the Gala Hispanic Theatre, as part of Sol Y Soul of the Washington Performing Arts Society.

Las del Jueves was inspired to adopt their name from a local women’s writing group, The Women of Wednesday, “WOW” that meets on Wednesday’s. Since Las del Jueves meet on Thursdays, it seems only fitting to call themselves “Las Jueves,” the women of Thursday.

Group organizers Corina Gabaldón, Eva Tellez, Denise Chávez, Shelly Modell, Stephanie Stevens and Emily Guerra are known as “Las Viejas del Viernes.”

Purchase A Copy Of This Moving And Thoughtful Bilingual Spanish/English Book For Only $5.
The Book Is Available At The BBF Trade Show On The Mesilla Plaza
Proceeds Go To Fund Future Emerging Voices Hands-On Community Writing Projects

“We are here and we have a voice/Aquí estamos y tenemos voz”
Las del Jueves

“Not only will these women “speak, sing/and sketch their names in this naked/ and moving sand” of Nuevo Mexico, but their words and rhymes will dance beneath the skies of other cities and places around the world.”

Marjorie Agosín
Visiting Writer to Las del Jueves group

The Border Book Festival began a series of hands-on writing workshops in 1996. That first pilot project involved one workshop, sixty students, and a phenomenal selection of national writers including Joy Harjo, Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Demetria Martínez and Juan Contreras. The program has grown over the years and is at the heart of the festival. 2002/2003 sites will include University Terrace Good Samaritan Village, Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility, the Las Cruces Even Start Program and a multi-generational site open to the public, as yet unnamed.

The mission of the program is to give voice to community members who might not otherwise have an opportunity to explore their stories and experiences in writing. In a series of workshops, participants discover the strength of their unique and powerful voices. The program was initiated to give voice to community members who might not otherwise have a chance to explore their stories and experiences in writing.

Las del Jueves, the writing women of Thursday, is a testimony to the success of the program and to the commitment of this group of writing moms, who believe in the power of literacy to change themselves and their families.

Everything began in September 2001 when the Border Book Festival approached Corina Gabaldón, Director of the Even Start federal program to offer a series of six writing workshops to The Las Cruces Public Schools Even Start Family Literacy group, M.O.M. (“Moms on the Move”).

At that time, both the BBF and Even Start did not realize the incredible potential that would be manifested by this group of eight young mothers.

Las del Jueves met on Thursday mornings with Margarita Vélez, renowned El Paso writer. The groups success was due to the partnership of the site coordinators and the women themselves, who have shown phenomenal talent and enthusiasm. The group rapport was such that the BBF extended its usual workshops to include 12 sessions.
In the past year, the group has read at the Border Book Festival and for various Even Start programs.

Las del Jueves is composed of a core group of dedicated young women who are working on literacy and literary skills and who in turn, are working with their families to develop strategies for lifelong learning, enrichment and positive interaction and education.

Members of Las del Jueves include: Alma (Abi) Báez, Guadalupe Hernández, Paula Meza, Yamira Morales, Amelia Muro, Ignacia Palma, Ana Reyes, Cynthia Salas, Alma Saucedo and María Terrazas.

The caliber of the women’s work can be seen in the BBF’s anthology, LAS DEL JUEVES. The book is available for a donation of $5.00. All proceeds will go toward the Emerging Voices Program.

From Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, Alma Saucedo is 27 years old and the mother of a four year old. She came to this country three years ago. Her goal is to write a book for children and one of poetry.

Born in Delicias, Chihuahua, México, Ignacia is the mother of four children. She came to the U.S. in 1999. She is an ESL student at DABCC and a volunteer spanish teacher at University Hills Elementary School where her daughter studies. She’s always liked writing and in high school wrote a poem in a competition with other students and was nominated as a “Rising Star.”

María is from Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua. She has four boys and has been living in the U.S. for three years. Her dream is to be able to speak English. She had enjoyed the Even Start Program because it has given her opportunity to better her life.

Born in Silver City, New Mexico, she has roots in Delicias, Chihuahua. Married to Eloy Zubia, she has two children, Marisa and Eloy. When she is with Las Del Jueves she relaxes and enjoyed putting her thoughts on paper.

Abi Izquierdo Báez was born in El Paso, Texas. She lived all her life in Delicias, Chihuahua. Abi is married to Jorge Báez, has one son Alejandro, four years old. It’s been six years since she and her family have lived in Las Cruces.

Cynthia Salas was born in El Paso, Texas, but she grew up in Cd. Juárez, México. She’s been happily married for 11 years and has two wonderful children.

She feels that Margarita Vélez’s workshop greatly enriched her on a spiritual level. “Thanks to her I found the best way to express what my spirit and mind were feeling, without feeling pain. Now I can free my sorrows and joys through something as simple as a pen and paper and say Ah! at what my heart is feeling at that moment. I feel proud my small thoughts are being placed in the anthology. . .”

Guadalupe is proud to call herself Osvaldo’s mother. Although only five years old,
he is the source of her strength to fight for equality and peace in the world. Guadalupe is grateful to Even Start for her son's education and for giving her the encouragement to write.