PRESS PHOTOS

 Protagonist Cabrera attended the reading of the book by author NoNiequa Ramos, in which Hostos’ own fight for survival is featured.

 
Elba Cabrera, one of the sisters and shown in the middle, attended the celebration. Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis accompanied her to the left and author NoNieqa Ramos to the right.
Yesterday, Hostos Community College gathered for a presentation of "Best Believe: The Tres Hermanas, A Sisterhood for the Common Good," celebrating strong women during Women’s History Month. Author NoNieqa Ramos’ children's book honors the impactful contributions of South Bronx Puerto Rican trailblazers Dr. Evelina Antonetty, Lillian López, and Elba Cabrera. These three women forged a powerful sisterhood to lead transformative community and educational initiatives in the Bronx, notably during the Save Hostos Movement (1973–1979).
 
Their story, as colorfully depicted in the children’s book, showcases the transformative power of education and community advocacy. The narrative centers the honorees in their distinctive roles: Dr. Evelina Antonetty, who tirelessly worked as a community advocate to improve the living conditions in the South Bronx; Lillian López, a pioneering figure in librarianship and library system management in the Bronx; and Elba Cabrera, celebrated as "La Madrina de las Artes" (The Godmother of the Arts), for her efforts to spotlight Latinx and Hispanic cultural expressions within the borough.                    
 
President Daisy Cocco De Filippis thanked Chief Librarian Madeline Ford and everyone involved in the presentation. She was particularly pleased to welcome back her close friend and colleague, Elba Cabrera, who has strongly advocated for Hostos. She also praised Ramos’ publication as a significant and beautiful work highlighting women's critical role in sustaining the College.                             
 
“When Mayor Beame attempted to close the College during the financial crisis of the 1970s, the love of my life, my dear Elba Cabrera, led the charge to save Hostos. The people of the South Bronx spoke and were heard, and look at us today: the doors remained open,” said Cocco De Filippis.
 
 

Ms. Cabrera delivering her remarks.
For her part, Cabrera, a Hostos Foundation board member, stated that she was very intentional about not only guiding Ramos through the writing of the book but also selecting the appropriate venues to present it.
 
“When we were thinking about places to take this book, I absolutely insisted on Hostos. I told NoNieqa, ‘We cannot leave Hostos out of this tour,’ as I promised my sister Evelina to ensure we continue the fight for this place. And here we are,” expressed Cabrera, who was accompanied by her son Paul Mondesire, who praised his mother's enduring strength in continuing to fight for social justice and the elevation of her community.
 
Following the initial greetings, Chief Librarian Madeline Ford, the event's moderator and main organizer, took the stage to introduce NoNieqa Ramos to the audience. The turnout overjoyed Ford, as few events are hosted at the library, making this gathering especially significant. She expressed immense happiness to see the community come together in such a meaningful way at the space.
 
Before reading from her book, Ramos gave an overview of the research process she carried out with Ms. Cabrera’s mentorship.
The author, for her part, stressed the power of storytelling to shape historical narratives. “This knowledge that we’re passing on is everlasting. We don’t always have the power to control what’s going on, but we can control our narratives and our stories. This is not just Bronx history; this is the country’s history. We are creating the next generation of dreamers, and I was honored to be taught by Elba about the essence of who the ‘tres hermanas’ truly were,” shared Ramos.
 
A young audience from the Hostos Children’s Center participated in the reading.
After her opening remarks, Ramos captivated the young audience from our Hostos Children's Center by reading an abridged version of the book, guiding them through the story, and encouraging their active participation in its narration. After the reading, attendees took photos with the author and Elba Cabrera, creating lasting memories of the event. The day concluded on a high note as guests took home signed copies of the “Best Believe,” marking a successful and inspiring gathering centered around the power of community, culture, and education.
 
Chief Librarian Madeline Ford posing with a copy of “Best Believe.”
 
About Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
 
Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities for over half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs.
 
Hostos offers 28 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate secure transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. A two-time Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence finalist, the College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos also boasts both men's and women's basketball teams, which have won multiple CUNY Athletic Conference championships, with the women's team making history in 2024 as the only team ever to secure seven consecutive titles in the conference's history. The College is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 25 colleges.
 
For inquiries, email publicrelations@hostos.cuny.edu.
 
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