She was very of her role as teachers of first generation immigrants. They never tolerated a lack of effort.

Their lack of fluency gave these women the power of observation. That power made them effective providers

Their inspiration was their determination to push on with life while speaking a new language and living in a different culture

La tia Pola, living her European dreams in the tropics. A war refugee, she dressed up every day with fancy globes and purses in ways not common in the tropics. She refused to let her old dreams die.

The Colombian indigenous population lives in poverty and seems to be permanently caught in the middle of the country's military conflicts. The bags knitted by indigenous women have become a defining symbol for the country of Colombia.

…and their kids became professionals

Old friends reunion

Golda learned Spanish only minimally. Golda’s views and understanding of the inner workings of her new country were solely based on Sarita’s translations.

While cleaning my friends house during Harvey, among the the dirty water and debris, a perfectly intact purse floated by. It brought us some smiles and reminded us of the power that humor has to help us survive.

Solo al verle se puede oler el perfume y oír el Mazal-Tovs // Just by seeing it I can smell the perfumes and can hear the Mazal-Tovs

Between Textures and Colors

No quiere ser notada pero su arte que es todo pasión lo hace imposible.

She doesn't want to be noticed but, her passionate art makes it impossible

La cacharreria El Alba, entre cacharros y más, los hilos, agujas y lanas siempre nos sirvieron como la base de nuestro sustento.

Chotsky store El Alba, between pots and more, the threads, needles and wool always served as the basis of our livelihood

the Love of her Loves

Ese maletín por alguna razón siempre hacía que ella al verlo salir todas las mañanas se enamorara de él de nuevo.

That briefcase for some reason always made her, by seeing him leave every morning, fall in love with him again

y siempre al verlo me preguntaba, yo alguna vez podré entender lo que dice?

Mi cartera amarilla era mágica me hacía creer que todo era posible. // My yellow purse was magical it made me believe that everything was possible

Las damas de la Hevra Kadisha realizan un acto final de amor para los miembros de la comunidad preparando a sus muertos para el entierro. Estas damas nos enseñaron a ver la vida en mejor proporción.

Life was not given to us on a silver tray, I take hard work and coffee.