The Brown Girls’ Chronicles: Puerto Rican Women and Resilience is a collection of the stories, narrative and songs showing how race, ethnicity, gender and colonialism shape the lives of marginalized women.

Written and directed by Yolanda Nieves and performed by the all-Latina Vida Bella Ensemble, Brown Girls’ Chronicles is based on a collection of interviews from scores of second-generation Puerto Rican women. The performace embodies their struggles for independence of mind, soul, heart and body.

Listen in to this special performance featuring excerpts of The Brown Girls’ Chronicles and an intergenerational, post-show conversation with Yolanda Nieves and the Vida Bella Ensemble. The discussion was moderated by Chicago Public Radio’s Natalie Moore.

This event was presented in partnership with Little Village Lawndale High School/Enlace Community Schools and The Public Square.

Recorded Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at Little Village Lawndale High School.