A Mother's Promise
In 2000, Maria Rivas immigrated from El Salvador to the United States. A year later, she received Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to stay and work legally in the U.S. TPS is set to expire for people from El Salvador in September of 2019. But if Maria is forced to leave the U.S., she won’t risk taking her American-born children with her — and her 15-year-old daughter Emily will stay behind to live with close family friends. Faced with the possibility of being separated from her children, Maria remembers the promise that she made to her daughter Emily.
UPDATE: In January 2020, USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) announced it was extending the validity of work permits for El Salvadorans with TPS through January 4, 2021. This animated short was presented as part of the StoryCorps animation season, “Moments that Define,” where StoryCorps participants share the turning points that have shaped them.
UPDATE: In January 2020, USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) announced it was extending the validity of work permits for El Salvadorans with TPS through January 4, 2021. This animated short was presented as part of the StoryCorps animation season, “Moments that Define,” where StoryCorps participants share the turning points that have shaped them.
The Door She Opened
In 2018, at the age of 63, Dee Westenhauser came out as a transgender woman. But growing up in El Paso, Texas in the 1950s, she remembers having a hard time fitting in. One weekend, her parents decided to take her to her aunt Yaya’s house. Aunt Yaya saw a kindred spirit in Dee, and gave her an opportunity that no one else would: a safe, loving space to be herself.
This story is part of StoryCorps' STONEWALL OUTLOUD collection. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in June 1969, StoryCorps worked to preserve the personal histories of members of the LGBTQ community.
This story is part of StoryCorps' STONEWALL OUTLOUD collection. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in June 1969, StoryCorps worked to preserve the personal histories of members of the LGBTQ community.
Google Doodle: Veterans Day
In November 2018, StoryCorps partnered with Google to animate a selection of five stories for Veterans Day — one from each branch of the military. I produced the audio for this animation featuring Dr. Olivia J. Hooker, the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Where I Come From
Barnie Botone was 22 years old when he got his very first job on the railroad. Nearly a hundred years prior, his great-great grandfather Guipago, a chief of the Kiowa Tribe of the Great Plains, was imprisoned by the U.S. Army and taken away by train during westward expansion. Botone looks back on the beauty and the tragedies on the American railroads, and the strength he needed to return day after day. Presented as part of the StoryCorps animation season “This Land,” stories to transport you across America.
What's For Dinner?
“We mesh together like one.” When George Ju met Angela Rivas, he immediately knew she was the one. Just a few days after they met, the two began their lifelong journey together. After nearly 50 years of marriage, they continue to share their lives, laughter, and love for cooking. At StoryCorps, George and Angela look back on how they met and continue to celebrate their love.