An iconic figure in the Puerto Rican community, Antonia Pantoja reigns as one of its leaders in community development and as a key figure in the founding of several seminal Puerto Rican institutions. Best known for the inception and creation of ASPIRA, Pantoja was also instrumental in the founding of the Puerto Rican Association for Community Affairs (PRACA) (previously known as the Hispanic Young Adult Association [HYAA]), the Puerto Rican Research and Resources Center, Boricua College (Universidad Boricua), the Graduate School for Community Development and Producir, Inc. Dedicated to the self-determination of the Puerto Rican community, in particular, and communities of color and working class communities, in general, Pantoja sought to empower those around her by enabling them to create their own solutions to the poverty, unemployment and discrimination they faced, and maintained the need for them to be agents in the creation of avenues of change and opportunity for themselves. Born on June 13, 1922 in Puerta de Tierra, Puerto Rico, Pantoja died on May 24, 2002 in New York City.
From the description of Papers 1923-2002 bulk 1960-2001. (Centro de Estudios Puertorriquenos). WorldCat record id: 154327841
