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Special Dedication Events presented by the

Gabriela Mistral Foundation, Inc. and the Consulate General of Chile in NY

On the occasion of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Gabriela Mistral's Nobel Prize in Literature, the Gabriela Mistral Foundation, Inc. and the Consulate General of Chile in New York donated and dedicated two commemorative plaques. One plaque was placed at the site of the home where Gabriela Mistral lived from 1953 until her death in 1957 with her friend and literary executor Doris Dana. A second plaque was placed at Bryant Library in Roslyn. These were organized in collaboration with the City of Roslyn, NY, the Village of Roslyn Harbor, NY and the Bryant Library of Roslyn.

July 18 was a a busy but lovely Mistralian day in Roslyn and Roslyn Harbor....

The morning started with heavy rain with thunder, a bit of a worry as the first part of the ceremony was to be held outdoors --but shortly before the start of the events the rain stopped and as we opened the event the sun came out.

With the presence of local authorities: Judy Bosworth Town Representative; Howard Kroplick, Roslyn Historian; Louis Badolato, Roslyn Deputy Mayor; Peter Zuckerman,Councilman; Julio Fiol Zuñiga, Consul, Javiera Parada, Cultural Attache of Chile in the US; representatives of the Gabriela Mistral Foundation, Inc., and a group of over 60 attendees, the dedication of the first plaque at the site of the house got underway. The ceremony included remarks by Julio Fiol, Judy Bosworth, H. Kroplick and Juan Cappello and a blessing by Fr. Agustin Orellana and a "pie de cueca."

The second part of the event, the donation and dedication of the plaque at Bryant LIbrary in Roslyn and the donation of a book was held in the Library and was also very well attended. The ceremony included remarks by Julio Fiol, Consul of Chile; Gloria Garafulich-Grabois of the Gabriela Mistral Foundation; New York State Senator Jack Martins and M. L. Gazarian. The plaque and book were presented by Gloria Garafulich-Grabois on behalf of the Gabriela Mistral Foundation and the Consulate to Ms. Cathleen Mealing, Director of the Bryant Libray who also remarked on the importance of Mistral and her legacy to Roslyn. A young guest, 8 years old, beautifully read Mistral's poem "Little Feet."

The owners of the land where Mistral's house was, attended both ceremonies. The Gabriela Mistral Foundation, Inc. presented them with a gift of a book of Mistral poetry. We are most grateful to them for their interest and cooperation in this initiative.

A reception followed.

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Gabriela Mistral was the first Latin American, and to date, the only Latin American woman to have received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Mistral was a teacher, poet, diplomat and humanitarian. She had an important role in the educational systems of Chile and Mexico, was active in a number of international cultural committees of the League of Nations and was Consul of Chile in New York, Naples, Madrid, Petropolis and Lisbon.

She was awarded Honourary Degrees from Columbia University (New York); Mills College (Oakland, CA) and from the Universities of Florence and Guatemala. She was also a member of various cultural societies in Chile as well as in the United States, Spain and Cuba. She taught Spanish Literature in the United States at Barnard College of Columbia University, Middlebury College, Vassar College and a the University of Puerto Rico.

While living in the Village of Roslyn Harbor she worked as a Consul in New York and representative of Chile in various international organizations including the League of Nations. Mistral was a major figure in the history of Chilean diplomacy in the 20th century, and it was due to her tireless advocacy that UNICEF came into existence. She was a social activist who strongly supported the rights of women, children and indigenous people.

We are grateful to the Hon. Julio Fiol, Consul General of Chile in New York for bringing forward this initiative, the authorities of the City of Roslyn, the Village of Roslyn Harbor, the Bryant Library in Roslyn, the Board Members of the Gabriela Mistral Foundation, Inc., friends and donors for their support and encouragement to make this event that honors this great Chilean poet and humanitarian.