Interview with Vilmary Fuertes

Interview with Vilmary Fuertes

3/28/17

HI251C: History of Latinx in the U.S.

Vilmary discussed her experiences in moving from Puerto Rico to the U.S. for educational purposes, her development into becoming a physical therapist right out of college, and her assimilation into the U.S. and eventually Saratoga Springs.

English

Vilmary Fuertes grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to Miami while in college to finish her education in the U.S. She went to school for physical therapy and worked incredibly hard to take classes in English, which was a language she was still learning to master. Out of college Vilmary was immediately offered a job in Physical Therapy and began working. Vilmary is now a mother of two sons and lives with her family in Saratoga Springs while continuing to practice Physical Therapy. Her husband is also Puerto Rican and together they keep Puerto Rican culture and traditions alive through holidays, language, and visits back to the island with their sons. Throughout Vilmary’s experiences in transitioning into U.S. society she has kept an optimistic perspective towards discrimination and ignorance towards her identity. Although, she has experienced many rude encounters Vilmary sees the best in people, but still holds an understanding and sympathy towards the discrimination of the Latinx population in the U.S.

Costello, Teague

Vilmary Fuertes