Farmworker women empowered by Christmas wreath project
author: Cassandra Ogren
 e-mail: cassandraogren@pcun.org
The farmworker women's organization, Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas, or Women Fighting for Progress, works for economic and leadership development through an annual Christmas wreath production project.
La organizacion de mujeres campesinas, Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas, y su proyecto anual de produccion de coronas navideņas.
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Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas, or Women Fighting for Progress, began as a project of PCUN, Oregon's farmworker union, to support and meet the needs of farmworker women, who, often caring for children, or unemployed, represent a vulnerable and often-opressed segment of the farmworker community. Out of this beginning the project has continued to grow and has also incorporated itself as a separate non-profit entity in the past year.
The group has organized itself, written bylaws, and elected a board of directors to oversee progress and help with decision-making. The bulk of the group's activity occurs between September and December of each year, when they work on their annual Christmas wreath production and sales. Although the group began making only a few hundred wreaths, the numbers have reached 1000 over the years, and members are hopeful that they will continue to grow.
Participants in wreath production receive a small salary for the work they do, which often proves a vital contribution to their household's income, since many farmworkers spend the winter monthes unemployed, relying on their savings until the next harvest season begins. The project also provides the participants with the invaluable opportunity to form part of a democratic workplace where, unlike in the strawberry fields, they are in control.
In the next year, the group looks forward to expanding its activities and networking with other women's organizations and non-profits in the Portland area, as well as to hiring a part-time production organizer from within the group.
For more information on the group, or to purchase a wreath, please contact  cassandraogren@pcun.org, or 503-982-0243 ext. 203. Wreaths are 22-24 inches wide, handmade of noble fir boughs and decorated with pine cones, holly, and a red bow. They are $25 and checks can be made out to MLP and sent attn. MLP to 300 Young Street, Woodburn, OR 97071. Wreath orders will be delivered this Saturday to Rose City Park Presbyterian Church at NE 44th and Sandy between 11 and 1 PM.
(Siga para leer en espanol)
Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas en una organizacion de mujeres campesinas que se dedica al desarollo economica y de liderazgo a traves de un proyecto de produccion de coronas navidenas. Las mujeres que participan en este proyecto no solamente ganan un pequeno sueldo, que les puede servir mucho a sus familias en esta temporada, cuando se acaba el trabajo, sino que tambien tienen la experiencia de manejar su sitio de trabajo, una cosa que no se puede hacer, por ejemplo, en la pisca de la fresa.
En el proximo aņo, el grupo quiere seguir formando conexiones con otros grupos de mujeres y organizaciones no-lucrativas en Portland.
Si alguien este interesado en comprar una corona, comuniquese a cassandraogren@pcun.org, o al 503-982-0243 ext. 203. Las coronas miden 22-24 pulgadas y son hechas a mano de ramas de pino y decorados con conos, holly, y un moņo rojo. Cuestan $25 la corona. Para reservar su corona, o para mas informacion, comuniquese con nosotras!
Gracias por su apoyo!
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homepage: http://www.pcun.org
phone: 503-982-0243 ext. 20
address: 300 Young Street, Woodburn, OR 97071
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