Da Urban Butterflies
Claudia de la Cruz, Merlix Ventura, Alicia Moquete & Osadris Flores, Co-Founders
http://tinyurl.com/DaUrbanButterflies
Da Urban Butterflies (D.U.B) is committed to developing strong social justice leaders, especially young women 13 to 25 years old, living in the Washington Heights/Inwood community. The name “Da Urban Butterflies” is in honor of the Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic who were brutally murdered in 1960 for organizing against the Trujillo dictatorship. ‘Butterflies’ was their secret code name.
Young women complete a three month education program. Groupings by age 13 to 16, 17 to 21, and 22 and older recognize varying needs at each developmental stage. Activities include the Young Latina Encounter to explore issues of identity and culture, reproductive rights, immigrant women workers’ rights, civil liberties, gender inequality, and sexual rights. A seven-week Summer Youth Leadership Development Institute provides opportunities in community organizing, campaign development, and advocacy. Rainbow of Love organizes activities for LGBTQ youth in Washington Heights.