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Monday, February 26, 2024

Event in Showcasing Linda Lee's Quilt Pieces

Orange County Public Works' Black History Month


    At the Orange County Public Works' Black History Month celebration on February 23, the Farmworker Association took the stage. Ms. Linda Lee passionately recounted her life as a Lake Apopka Farmworker, vividly portraying the challenges of working conditions, discrimination, and pesticide exposure. 



 In a captivating presentation, Ms. Lee showcased her beautiful quilt pieces, leaving a lasting impact on the audience, many of whom shared personal connections to agricultural roots. The event also featured the insightful Ms. Barbara Chandler from the Hannibal Square Heritage Center, who delved into the history of Winter Park's Black Community, addressing issues of displacement due to gentrification.



    The orchestrated event, adorned with cultural decorations, a video address by County Mayor Demings, and a powerful recitation of Maya Angelou's "And Still I Rise" by department workers, fostered a profound connection between public sector workers and the hardworking farm communities. The resonance was so significant that three copies of the book "Fed Up: The High Costs of Cheap Food" were sold to those eager to delve deeper into Linda's story. Kudos to the OCPW Department for orchestrating a meaningful event that celebrated Black History and established a bridge of understanding between diverse communities. 






By Analee Monrreal 


Tuesday, February 20, 2024

History Center



Black Heritage and Culture at

the History Center

    In Orlando, on February 17, Linda Lee's family and supporters were at the second annual "Honoring Black Heritage and Culture" at the History Center. The event was a grand celebration of the remarkable impact that African Americans have had on the arts, music, cultural movements, and more. It was a vibrant and lively gathering for people to come together to learn, share, and celebrate the rich and diverse history and culture of the African American community.



    The event was organized around the theme of African Americans as leaders in the arts and their significant contributions. There were several exhibits showcasing the history of African American art, music, literature, and culture, which were both informative and engaging. The highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring several prominent African American artists, musicians, and cultural leaders.



    Supporters of Linda Lee, including her granddaughter and great-grandsons, gathered to honor the black community at this event. It's heartwarming to see how supporters like them bring their rich culture to the forefront and make this community proud.







By Analee Monrreal

 

Monday, February 19, 2024

New Hope Community Event

 Black History Month Event

     
    On February 6th, 2023, in Apopka, the community came together at New Hope Church to commemorate Black History Month and pay tribute to the contributions of black farmworkers who have played a significant role in the Apopka's history. Linda Lee brought her beautiful collection of quilt pieces, each with a unique story and design, to showcase the rich history, stories, and strength of these farmworkers. Linda's grandchildren and great-grandchildren also attended the event, adding to the sense of community and togetherness. 

 

The occasion was marked by drumming, adding to the event's atmosphere. Linda's famous potato soup was served, which was famously known throughout the community for its heartiness and delicious flavor. The dishes served at the event were a testament to the rich culinary traditions.

The event was a fitting tribute to the vital contributions of black farmworkers in the community's development, and it highlighted the richness and diversity of the local culture.




 

By Analee Monrreal 









Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month: Labor of Love Mural Project 


    The Farmworker Association of Florida is commemorating Black History Month by showcasing the restoration of the Labor of Love Mural Project. The project celebrates the history of a once-vibrant Black farmworker community in South Apopka, Florida.

    Over the years, the community faced several challenges, including economic exploitation, racial segregation, and environmental injustices. Despite these challenges, the community continued to fight for their rights and built a strong sense of solidarity that has been captured in the Labor of Love Mural Project.


    Unfortunately, the mural had to be relocated to a new location, and in the process, it sustained some damage. However, the community has come together to restore the mural to its former glory and keep the legacy of the Black community alive. The restoration project involves local volunteers and community members who are working to ensure that every detail of the mural is restored.

    The project has two goals: restoring the mural and educating the youth about their local history. The FWAF believes that reviving the mural can motivate the younger generation to take pride in their heritage and strive to build a more equitable and just society.




By: Analee Monrreal

 

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

In Celebration and In Memory of Lessie Stephens

 

    On June 21, 2023, Ms. Lessie Stephens laid her burdens down and transitioned to another realm.  Ms. Lessie was 84 years old.  A former Lake Apopka farmworker, and a member of the Farmworker Association of Florida African American/Black Lake Apopka farmworker leadership group, Ms. Lessie recalled and shared with others her experiences as a farmworker in Florida.  Soft-spoken, sweet, and with a beautiful and winning smile that warmed the heart, Ms. Lessie participated in meetings, gatherings, and events at FWAF, and in the Lake Apopka Farmworker Memorial Quilt Project.  She also shared her personal life story as part of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program of the University of Florida.

Ms. Lessie had worked at a local ornamental plant nursery in Apopka for many years, where she became knowledgeable about plants and mete many friends and community members.  She loved getting dressed up and going to church, where she sang in a gospel group called Voices of Faith.  Ms. Lessie remains forever in your hearts and memories, even as she lives on through her family and the legacy she has left behind.

Rest in Peace, Ms. Lessie.  

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Linda Lee at the 2023 Annual Florida Brownfields Confrence

 



        Linda Lee continues to use her talent of storytelling to educate others on environmental justice! Miss Lee spoke at this year's Florida Brownfields Conference in Orlando! One of her main goals in speaking was to spread awareness about the state of Lake Apopka and the surrounding communities; this area has still not recovered from the years of pesticide use on the farms, and is now suffering from other kinds of environmental injustice and racism (for example: landfills and medical waste incinerators in Apopka neighborhoods of predominantly people of color). When discussing brownfield sites, it's important to remember that it's not enough to simply pave over poisoned Earth. Proper evaluation of the sites, appropriate and thorough clean-up, and ensuring that the waste from the cleanups aren't simply dumped in another neighborhood are critical to making meaningful changes in community and environmental health. The surrounding communities of Lake Apopka have been widely developed over, yet the environmental health risks still remain and people- mostly people of color- are suffering as a result. Lee tells her story in hopes that these mistakes will not be made again, and that brownfield cleanups are done with justice in mind.

         She spoke at the Annual Environmental Justice and Equity Community Caucus and Listening Session, and used her time to recount her experience as a Lake Apopka farmworker and the environmental racism she and her community faced and continue to face today. Additionally, we set up educational materials at the conference's tabling room. At our table, we included the red Lake Apopka Farmworker Memorial Quilt and a tri-fold board with copies of newspapers, studies, and first hand accounts of the injustices suffered in Lake Apopka farms. We also brought copies of "Fed Up: The High Costs of Cheap Food" by Dale Slongwhite which features Lake Apopka farmworker stories (check it out HERE), along with some other literature about the Farmworker Association. We also had the privilege of listening in for the Regional Planning Council as Environmental Justice Advocates: Tailoring Public Engagement Strategies to Implement Successful Brownfield Redevelopment. In this panel, county leaders from around the state presented the brownfields projects in their areas and their processes for community involvement. We feel deeply privileged and grateful for this experience and for the opportunity to allow Linda Lee to tell her critically important story.


by Finn Spencer

Monday, June 12, 2023

Linda Lee and Yesica Ramirez Honored by FSU Law School


    Linda Lee and Yesica Ramirez were both recipients of the 2022-2023 Community Advocate Award from Florida State University's Public Interest Law Center! This incredible gift is to highlight their contribution to the Alternative Spring Break Program, in special recognition of them sharing their personal stories of farmwork, of racism, of immigration, and of the dangerous effects of pesticide on human health.

    Story-telling can certainly be emotionally taxing and can require a great deal of vulnerability for the the story-teller. We work very hard to ensure plenty of time for our staff and community members to tell their stories to the students during the Alternative Spring Break program. These stories are deeply important and provide deeper insight into the issues that these students will face when they become lawyers and are serving the public. This award is a beautiful way for the Alternative Spring Break group to recognize and acknowledge the importance of these stories and the people who tell them; we are eternally grateful for these students' willingness to be open, to listen, and to learn. Thank you FSU law students, and thank you Linda and Yesica for sharing your important stories!


by Finn Spencer