An essay by educator, musician and writer, Reynaldo Fernández Pavón.  This presentation and panel discussion, in commemoration of <em>International Women’s Day</em>, seeks to demonstrate a hypothesis, and collect solidarity to denounce the discrimination and marginalization of contemporary women, a reality that, although accepted by all, brings painful facts to the surface that are denied by many.
<p style="text-align: left;">Professor Fernández Pavón received his music education in Cuba where he received multiple awards for his compositions for chamber music and orchestra.  He has also done award winning discographic work with Grupo Irakere and the Latin Jazz Quartet led by Chucho Valdés.  His written works include poetry such as the award winning Presagios (Predictions) and Cruzando Mares (Crossing Oceans).  He has also published the El Lirio del Prado (Lily of the Field).  He offered classes as adjunct professor professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Temple University and currently is instructor of Spanish in the Department of Languages at Trenton Public School, New Jersey.</p>
<i>*Pictured in the front clockwise from far left: Slivia Rivera, Edwidge Danticat, Julia Alvarez, Cherrie Moraga and Julia de Burgos</i>