Immigrant literacy success stories shared at Plainfield author event
Author and former Daily Herald journalist Anna Marie Kukec Tomczyk discusses her new book "We Are Eagles: Inspiring Stories of Immigrant Women Who Took Bold Steps in Life Through Literacy," at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at the Plainfield Public Library District, 15025 S. Illinois St. in Plainfield.
"We Are Eagles" focuses on immigrant women who changed their lives after learning English at the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora. Led by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, the center has become a safe haven for more than 25 years where immigrants from about 30 countries have learned English.
One woman is Maribel, who escaped from a domestic violence situation to raise a daughter while cleaning toilets for a living. Years later, she ran her own business and trained for a marathon.
Another is Juanita who escaped stalkers by seeking a new life in America. Another is Blanca who rose from housekeeping to management before a corporate decision changed her life.
The event is free and open to the public, through registration is requested at plainfieldpubliclibrary.org.