Synopsis:
La Chicana Academica: Dr. Yvette Saavedra’s Story by Claire Aspeitia
Dr. Yvette Saavedra is an author, historian, and a passionately kind professor in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department at the University of Oregon. Despite barriers of inequality early in her life that suppressed her potential to succeed, she has done more than persevere. Through the transformative presence of a supportive mentor during this difficult time in her life, she now passes on the same sense of encouragement for her own students. Dr. Saavedra’s life experiences help us understand why she aims to foster an inclusive community in her classroom that imparts a sense of empowerment within each one of her students. Her story provides hope that we are capable of living life to its fullest despite facing obstacles outside of our control.
Producer’s Bio:
Claire Aspeitia is an undergraduate student at the University of Oregon. They are pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with a double minor in Queer Studies and Latinx Studies. This documentary helped them to discover their own strength through the power of storytelling. They hope for queer Chicanx people to feel represented through this documentary and empowered to share their own stories of perseverance and self-discovery.
