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The Southern Connecticut State University Women's Studies Program in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Languages and the Connecticut Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission hosted The Seventh Annual Women's Studies Conference at Southern Connecticut State University, "Latina Visions for Transforming the Americas/Perspectivas de la mujer Latina en la transformación de las Américas." This conference provided a forum for scholars, community members, graduate, undergraduate and high school students to explore Latina contributions, achievements and issues in culture and society.

The keynote presenters were Mayra Santos, winner of the Juan Rulfo Prize for Literature; Iris Morales, director of ¡Palante, Siempre Palante!; scholars Edna Acosta-Belén, Asunción Lavrín, Ruth Behar; and folklorist-choreographer Awilda Sterling Duprey.

Naomi Ayala, Coordinator of the Inner City Cultural Development Project in New Haven, CT and recipient of the 1995 Trailblazers Award, is a local poet and community activist. Her work has appeared in several literary journals including, The Caribbean Writer, Callaloo, and Kalliope.

Edna Acosta-Belén is Distinguished Professor of Latin American, Caribbean, and Women's Studies and is Director, Center for Latino, Latin American, and Caribbean Studies at University of Albany, SUNY. Among her publications are: The Puerto Rican Woman: Perspectives on Culture, History, and Society; and In the Shadow of the Giant: Colonialism, Migration, and Puerto Rican Culture.

Ruth Behar is Professor of Anthropology, University of Michigan, whose publications include: Translated Women: Crossing the Border with Esperanza's Story; The Vulnerable Observer; Women Writing Culture; and Bridges to Cuba.

Iris Morales is an educator, community activist and attorney. She is the Director of the New York Network for School Renewal, and is a founder and the President of Latino Education Network Service.

Mayra Santos, winner of the 1996 Juan Rulfo Prize for literature, is a Professor of Hispanic American Literature at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. A former Ford Foundation Minority Fellowship and Mellow Foundation Fellowship recipient, her work has appeared in such journals as Dialógo, El Centro and Claridad.

Glaisma Pérez-Silva is a local Puerto Rican educator, poet, community activist, and radio producer. Her poetry and essays, with themes which range from the feminist/erotic to issues of cultural identity, have been featured in local Spanish newspapers and newsletters.

Sol y Canto, winner of "Best of Boston 1996" for Latin rhythms and the 1995 Boston Music Awards for "Outstanding Latin Act," features a wide variety of Latin American and Caribbean dance and folkloric rhythms with a positive spirit.

Awilda Sterling Duprey is an award-winning Puerto Rican folklorist-choreographer whoses work is internationally recognized for its ability to profile the everyday lives of those maginalized by society through the spontaneity and natural grace of her dance.