Meet Sister Cities 2014 East Coast Tour Speaker Edith Portillo!

Edith Portillo is the Secretary of the CRIPDES National Board of Directors, works as the Coordinator of Women’s programs for CRIPDES San Vicente, and is part of the leadership of the National Roundtable of Rural Women. She started working with CRIPDES in 1999, and considers herself the fruit of the work of CRIPDES in rural marginalized communities throughout El Salvador.

Originally from San Francisco Tehuacan in Tecoluca, San Vicente, Edith was transformed through the encouragement and leadership of CRIPDES San Vicente from a silenced victim of an abusive relationship to an outspoken leader recognized throughout the department of San Vicente. Her experiences in leadership and personal transformation through community organizing inform the work she does today: visiting women in rural communities throughout the department to encourage them find to their voices, to raise awareness about women’s rights, and to facilitate the organization of dozens of women’s committees and projects.

Edith is recognized for her outstanding work and participation in women’s organizing, and her electric personality makes her an engaging and inspiring presenter. US El Salvador Sister Cities is proud to invite Edith to participate in the 2014 Speaking Tour and National Gathering to share with our sister committees about the national work of CRIPDES, her work in women’s organizing, and the current panorama in El Salvador. Her participation in various organizational spaces on both national and regional levels mean she is up to date not only on the regional work of CRIPDES San Vicente, but on the national anti-mining campaign, the recent elections, the role of sistering, youth work, violence and gangs, and much more.