#WHM2019: Edith Tovar

Born and raised in La Villita, Edith Tovar’s work at UIC’s Rafael Cintrón Ortiz Latino Cultural Center has her build connections to efforts tackling social & environmental justice, and moving UIC’s campus communities to taking action.


Edith’s work taps into cultural practices – particularly Latinx culture – passed on by elders as under-appreciated tools to help preserve the environment and stimulate climate resiliency.
Recent projects have included planning a series of poetry readings & panels on water planning and access; she’s even developed an internship program that doubles as youth leadership training. Currently, she’s advocating for clean air in Little Village and the RISE Act, which would bring higher education access to many of Illinois’ undocumented, transgender & low-income residents.