For eleven years, Granada has been the director of a Women's Health Clinic in Mulukuku, Nicaragua. A recipient of the International Pfeffer Peace Prize, she is an acclaimed health promoter and human rights activist. Her clinic is part of a cooperative organized by women, for women's rights and protection from abuse. The health clinic focuses on prenatal care, childbirth, and women's and children's health. It is supported entirely by donations.
For the past year, Granada has been resisting illegal attempts by the Nicaraguan government to deport her and close down the clinic. President Aleman accused her of performing abortions, which are illegal in Nicaragua, and of serving only members of the opposition Sandinista party. These charges were disproved in court, the witnesses confessing that they lied. Even so, Granada was denied renewal of her residency permit. She is now in the United States on a four month speaking and fund raising tour, in which she describes her work in the Muluku clinic providing health care in rural Nicaragua. She hopes to return to Nicaragua after the November 4th elections, when a new government will take power.
"The clinic and I have been attacked because we represent an independent voice for women's health rights and for the human rights of the poor," said Ms. Granada. "The current government not only ignores the poor, it despises them." International organizations, and even members of Aleman's own party, accuse him of widespread corruption. The forthcoming elections are between his party, now led by Enrique Bolanos, and the leftist Sandinistas, who are leading in the polls.
The evening with Dorothy Granada will include music, sales of crafts and paintings from Nicaragua, and discussion and analysis of Nicaragua's election results and expectations for Nicaragua's future.
The Solentiname, Nicaragua Friendship Group of Western Massachusetts is organizing Dorothy Granada's visit to the Valley. Numerous local organizations are co-sponsors, including: