Claudia Thrane
Latest from Claudia Thrane
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DACA Helped Enrique Build His Dream In Iowa. Trump Threatens To End It.
Enrique Rey was seven when he was told his mother had died. She lost her long battle against liver cancer and the world as he knew it changed forever. Enrique’s dad was an alcoholic and never took care of him. After he lost his mother, he went to live with his sister and her family.…
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Elizabeth Warren’s Long List Of Plans Include Latinx Community
I strongly believe that it is important for women to not only see other women involved in politics, but to see women in positions of power inside the government. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview a front-runner presidential candidate, Sen. Elizabeth Warren. I was thrilled. To add to my enthusiasm, Sen. Warren was energetic,…
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Maria’s Story: From Migrant To College Grad, Using Soccer To Build Community
The end of the year has a way of stirring things in your memory, from family to heroes, to all kinds of inspiration. I have been inspired by books and by movies, and more importantly, I am always inspired by unique individuals who have struggled and came through to the other side strong, and yet…
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El Salvador To Iowa: One Woman’s Journey For Her Family
Occasionally in our lifetime we read something that touches our hearts. In my case, it was a book written by a renowned American journalist, Sonia Nazario, entitled “Enrique’s Journey.” Nazario describes the story of a Honduran boy who travels alone to look for his mother, who had left 11 years earlier to help her poverty-stricken…
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A Trailblazing Retired DMPD Officer’s View On Iowa Latino Communities
I will never forget the movie “Fields of Dreams” and its popular quote: “build it and they will come.” It may sound cliché, but it is true; when you build community, people gravitate toward that community or the persons who make that community great, regardless of your circumstances. This was true for me when I…
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From Peppers To Prosperity: One Latino’s Contribution To Iowa Economy
The best weather to grow peppers is at 80 degrees in the daytime and no less than 55 in the evening. Texas was, and remains, a great place for peppers. Martin Perez knows this because was born and raised in Michoacan, Mexico, and came to work in the Texas pepper fields in 1987. He would…
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How A Young Iowan Deals With His Father’s Deportation
It may be difficult to imagine a young person feeling the weight of their family’s future on their shoulders, but at an immigration hearing when he was 15, that was exactly how Giovani Barrios felt. “I remember being in front of the judge, lawyers and other people testifying in favor of my parents,” said Barrios.…
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What Grand View’s Politically-Active Latino Students Think Of 2020
Grand View University has been a welcoming place for Latinos for a long time, not only for students but also for Latino organizations such as Latina Leadership Initiative, !Al Éxito! and ¿Que Pasa Iowa? to mention a few. So, I was curious to learn more about this educational institution and decided to interview Alex Piedras,…
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How The Latino Forum Is Connecting Iowans With 2020 Candidates
Iowans are used to the enthusiasm surrounding presidential elections, meeting candidates at house gatherings and asking questions on issues that matter to them. This is a frequent occurrence, a chance that at times may be taken for granted. The chance for many to hear the stump speeches at the Iowa State Fair does not go…
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Dolores Huerta Interview: A Latina Hero Fighting For Justice
Latino Heritage Month in Iowa can be very special. As a longtime Latina resident in Des Moines, I was thrilled to learn I would interview one of my personal heroes. Watching this tiny, 5-foot-tall woman walk toward me amazed me at how she was able to fight for workers, farmers, immigrants and women’s rights for…
