Claudia Thrane

My mother had a saying every time I complained about something: “No te quejes por falta de zapatos, cuando otros no tienen pies.” This means, “Don’t complain about not having shoes, when there are those that have no feet.” Mom is gone now, yet her words replay in my mind ever since the coronavirus pandemic…

We Latinos have little sense of personal space. We are quick to hug and kiss when greeting family and friends. Once in the U.S., including here in Iowa, we share that custom with our newly found friends too. For many Latinos, those who can afford it and are documented, it is not unusual to plan…

A few days ago, while scrolling through my social media, I saw a post that caught my attention. “History in the making/Haciendo Historia-First POSTVILLE child becomes a US Citizen! ¡Felicidades!” The post included a picture of immigration attorney Sonia Parras and a beautiful young Latina proudly holding her citizenship certificate. Immediately, memories of the 2008 Postville…

A few days ago, while scrolling through my social media, I saw a post that caught my attention. “History in the making/Haciendo Historia-First POSTVILLE child becomes a US Citizen! ¡Felicidades!” The post included a picture of immigration attorney Sonia Parras and a beautiful young Latina proudly holding her citizenship certificate. Immediately, memories of the 2008 Postville…

A few days ago, while scrolling through my social media, I saw a post that caught my attention. “History in the making/Haciendo Historia-First POSTVILLE child becomes a US Citizen! ¡Felicidades!” The post included a picture of immigration attorney Sonia Parras and a beautiful young Latina proudly holding her citizenship certificate. Immediately, memories of the 2008 Postville…

Refugees are a growing part of life in Iowa, our economy and the fiber of our state. In the process of meeting and writing about refugees, I find myself filled with gratitude. I am honored by the chance to learn from very special individuals who give back despite having endured so much despair and pain…

Refugees are a growing part of life in Iowa, our economy and the fiber of our state. In the process of meeting and writing about refugees, I find myself filled with gratitude. I am honored by the chance to learn from very special individuals who give back despite having endured so much despair and pain…

Refugees are a growing part of life in Iowa, our economy and the fiber of our state. In the process of meeting and writing about refugees, I find myself filled with gratitude. I am honored by the chance to learn from very special individuals who give back despite having endured so much despair and pain…

It was close to three years ago a friend of mine told me she wanted to introduce me to one of her friends. My friend has good intuition. We agreed to meet for a morning coffee, my favorite kind of meeting. It was summertime, so we decided to wait at a table outside, a perfect…

Every day as I drive through my neighborhood, on autopilot most times, my mind is busy thinking of everything I need to do that day. I’m focused on my own little world and am usually in a hurry. During the nice weather months, I notice this man walking most every day; he looks older and…