July 13, 2025 • 25 mins
Conoce a Marilyn Rivera, líder extraordinaria que equilibra su carrera profesional de tiempo completo con la dirección del prestigioso Festival Puertorriqueño de Boston. Descubre cómo preserva la cultura boricua mientras inspira a nuevas generaciones.
Lo Que Aprenderás:
• Estrategias para equilibrar carrera profesional y liderazgo comunitario
• Organización de eventos culturales masivos
• Preservación de tradiciones puertorriqueñas en Boston
• Liderazgo femenino en organizaciones latinas
• Construcción de comunidades a través de festivales
Marilyn comparte sus secretos para liderar con propósito y mantener viva la cultura boricua en Massachusetts.
**Perfecto para:** Líderes comunitarios, profesionales buscando involucrarse en causas culturales, mujeres en liderazgo, y amantes de la cultura puertorriqueña.
Domingos 8:00 AM Rumba 97.7 | 6:30 AM JAMN 94.5
#MarilynRivera #FestivalPuertorriqueño #LiderazgoFemenino #CulturaBoricua #QuePasaBoston #iHeartMedia
-----
Marilyn Rivera: Powerful Leadership and Cultural Passion
Meet Marilyn Rivera, extraordinary leader who balances her full-time professional career while directing Boston’s prestigious Puerto Rican Festival. Discover how she preserves Boricua culture while inspiring new generations.
What You’ll Learn:
• Strategies for balancing professional career and community leadership
• Organizing massive cultural events
• Preserving Puerto Rican traditions in Boston
• Female leadership in Latino organizations
• Building communities through festivals
Marilyn shares her secrets for leading with purpose and keeping Boricua culture alive in Massachusetts.
**Perfect for:** Community leaders, professionals seeking cultural involvement, women in leadership, and Puerto Rican culture enthusiasts.
Sundays 8:00 AM Rumba 97.7 | 6:30 AM JAMN 94.5
#MarilynRivera #PuertoRicanFestival #FemaleLeadership #BoricuaCulture #QuePasaBoston #iHeartMedia
Lo Que Aprenderás:
• Estrategias para equilibrar carrera profesional y liderazgo comunitario
• Organización de eventos culturales masivos
• Preservación de tradiciones puertorriqueñas en Boston
• Liderazgo femenino en organizaciones latinas
• Construcción de comunidades a través de festivales
Marilyn comparte sus secretos para liderar con propósito y mantener viva la cultura boricua en Massachusetts.
**Perfecto para:** Líderes comunitarios, profesionales buscando involucrarse en causas culturales, mujeres en liderazgo, y amantes de la cultura puertorriqueña.
Domingos 8:00 AM Rumba 97.7 | 6:30 AM JAMN 94.5
#MarilynRivera #FestivalPuertorriqueño #LiderazgoFemenino #CulturaBoricua #QuePasaBoston #iHeartMedia
-----
Marilyn Rivera: Powerful Leadership and Cultural Passion
Meet Marilyn Rivera, extraordinary leader who balances her full-time professional career while directing Boston’s prestigious Puerto Rican Festival. Discover how she preserves Boricua culture while inspiring new generations.
What You’ll Learn:
• Strategies for balancing professional career and community leadership
• Organizing massive cultural events
• Preserving Puerto Rican traditions in Boston
• Female leadership in Latino organizations
• Building communities through festivals
Marilyn shares her secrets for leading with purpose and keeping Boricua culture alive in Massachusetts.
**Perfect for:** Community leaders, professionals seeking cultural involvement, women in leadership, and Puerto Rican culture enthusiasts.
Sundays 8:00 AM Rumba 97.7 | 6:30 AM JAMN 94.5
#MarilynRivera #PuertoRicanFestival #FemaleLeadership #BoricuaCulture #QuePasaBoston #iHeartMedia
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Buenos Dias, Boston, Estamanana, Nueva mentmos Otra and vitales Pecialado
(00:07):
so fantastical spero o idea jo gonnad mis a young
personal Partea the sar Rojado, Una Communida Super Integrada movie
and for Mada Tamenderica oras ioras Iuras a supasion case
Representer Paris Rien, Puerto Rico, Marilyn bim Benida Pasa Boston,
(00:32):
Quenta cote is Testado the Massachusetts case.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Look at the Tanto, the Puerto Rico.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Bueno Gia Portrayaliaki Kerala and link from fathers the Puerto
Rico simpre nouldura sempre singo apprendianodo danbieing Algokeiga, It's the
(01:10):
down dambying.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
So, Marilyn, you are born and raised here in Boston,
and then what happened in your childhood that your parents
came from Puerto Rico they established themselves in Lyin or
how did that come about?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
So my parents came when they were like eighteen and
nineteen to Boston, in Boston, and then when I was
about ten, we moved to Lynn. So I grew up
in Lynn and they we still my mom still doesn't
speak English.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
That is funny.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
My mom doesn't speak English either, And you're one of
how many siblings?
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Seven?
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Yes, of course because we're Latina, so it's like a
big family, of course, and you're in the middle.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
You're the oldest, I'm the second oldest. You're the second
and the only girl out of stop.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
It, Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
How was it having boyfriends like where your brother's.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Like all over it?
Speaker 3 (02:02):
It was tough because they went with me everywhere, like
you had to walk with them everywhere, so I wasn't
left to.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Better honest, yes, always always, So what was it like
to grow up in a group of seven, you know,
siblings obviously you being one of them, and then all
these brothers have a different perspective of life because you,
as a woman are looking into like my hair and
you know, as latinas were always like, you know, on
(02:30):
the beauty side of okay, I gotta look good my girlfriends?
Were they dating your friends too? Like that's funny.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
I actually dated my brother's all the way around.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
I mean, you're worried about the boys and they should
be worried about you.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
Yes, yes, it was yeah, actually by one of them
did date my oldest one dated one of my friends,
but then he was turn to date another friends and
it was wasn't that guy?
Speaker 2 (02:57):
And you were like, no, no, no, it's better than that. Yeah,
I was like, this is my friend.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
How about your parents? How was it for.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Them to make sure that you guys were in a
good place.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
My father was extremely strict, Like we really didn't do
a lot in terms of, you know, taking us to places,
but they grew up so strict. My mom was a
little much easier, but the rule was my dad made
the decision for everything. So we were all afraid of
(03:32):
him to even say do anything wrong because we didn't
know what he was going to do. So yeah, we
grew up in a very very strict religion Pentecostal Church.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
And for you, was that you think a base for
your success or was it more of a challenge for
your career and for your development as a woman in Massachusetts?
Speaker 3 (03:58):
It was a challenge, I would say more because I
had to learn everything and be independent much younger than
I expected. So I moved out when I was twenty
years old. I bought my first home when I was
twenty four, and I was just determined to thrive no
matter what. And I needed to prove to my parents
(04:19):
that I can be independent and that I was going
to get where I wanted to get.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Yeah, let me hint that why I admire her because yes,
you've accomplished a lot. Yeah, since very young.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
The question I would have to because but alost cannot
stap and for that audience that does not understand very much.
So how the Latino culture works. We were supposed Now
it's different, but we were supposed to live with our
parents until you get married, because there's no way you're
getting out of the house, you know, shaming the last name,
(04:54):
and that was a big part of you your expectation.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Right as a woman especially have.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
To be respectful to your parents. You have to make
sure that you know your upbringing is the correct way.
And I mean you're saying that you bought your first
home at twenty four. I left my home when I
was sixteen, and it was because of that, the clash
of like my independence and trying it.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
But I was in Mexico. I was not here, so
it was even worse.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Right, Yeah, like, oh my goodness, the society speaks volumes. Yeah,
when you are buying your first home. How was it
for your parents to understand that you were like completely
on your own and you were good to go.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Well, my dad was very upset the fact that he
lost that control, and you know, because he controlled from
who your friends were. I had to leave work and
go to college, but I had to be home immediately.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
It wasn't like I just can.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Go and say hey, Gobby, let's go and have a
coffee or anything. It was very difficult and he did
not agree in my first two years when I needed them,
they were they just he couldn't support that.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
How was that for you then?
Speaker 1 (06:11):
In order to become stronger, because some people will just
feel so bad or the guilt, then you would just
stop your life and say like, I'm just gonna do
whatever my parents want.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
But you did not right.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I was a very determined person because I know I
was doing the right thing. If I was doing something wrong,
it was different. But I felt like I was doing
the right thing. I saved I always worked since I
was fifteen, so I was saving my money. And a
friend of mine was the one who suggested, why don't
you buy a house in Milton, And I'm like, I
(06:45):
went through, like I don't know if I can do this,
And she said, well, if you have to work two jobs,
you do it. And so I said, I'm not sure,
but I I was able to put a nice down
payment back then was nothing and I think it was
like two thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Oh my goodness, just like now right.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Now, that doesn't go yeah, paperwork.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Yeah exactly, never mind.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
So yeah, and I lived with a roommate like maybe
on a year or so, and then we were able
to just manage like a one bedroom apartment, uh, just
so that we can save money. And I finally got
my house.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
So did you go to college? Yes, I did, And
what was your major?
Speaker 3 (07:29):
So? I have an a social degree in Business Business Administration.
I have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a
master's degree in counseling psychology.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
I'm telling you, guys, you have no idea who I
have here in the studio.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
And when you start working, what was your first job?
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Like, I worked an insurance company, and I worked my
way up. You know, I was just a very fast
learner and I was only Latina that the employee there
at this insurance company for a very long time. And
I worked there for like twelve years and then I
(08:07):
moved on and I learned to do civil investigation, and
then I was promoted like three times, and then I left.
I worked now at the insurance Fraubireau, where I do
criminal investigation.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Is Sandy, I would love to learn more about that.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
And so with that, it was a very scary transition
for me because why scary Because when I did Sibyl,
it's in the office, you're on the phone, you don't
meet people. But this one you have to go out
and find people. You have to go find all the
criminals that are under investigation, so you knock on the
door unannounced and do the investigations. So I'm like, I'm
(08:51):
not sure if.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
I go by yourself. No, we go with a partner.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
But still I wasn't one of these people that you
can be so confrontational and say, hey, you did this,
and I we noticed we have evidence that you crashed
your car or you actually sold your car, but now
reports a stolen or that you are treated with an
injury that you never had. You know whatever, you make
(09:16):
made up a story. And it took me a while.
It took me like a good two years to really
set in and be a very more you know, aggressive
investigator to not feel guilty about what I was doing,
because I used to whatever.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Story page told me.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
I feel like, oh, I feel so bad that you
committed a crime.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
You can't have criminal.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
So, you know, And if they started crying, I probably
would have just like hugged them and say, oh, I'm
so sorry, But not now.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Because you know, that's a choice, right, that's a choice.
You know what you would doing, you you know.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
And so we don't work for the insurance companies, a
separate agency that by state statute, they have to refer
the cases to US any insurance company in the state
of Massachusetts or any state, so we get the cases.
And so I am the first and only Latina that
ever employed at this organization.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Still, wowpanel, I mean like all these Yeah, because I
can tell you and I am almost positive that our
data shows probably that those numbers are higher because of
the resources that we have and the lack of knowledge
that we have. Maybe they're not fully criminals, but they
probably don't understand also a lot of the laws.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Right, Yeah, that is true.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
I think a lot of people come here and they
don't understand about certain laws. When you a contract, when
you sign with the insurance company that you can even
it's a criminal, a crime when you say you live
in one street when you don't live there. So a
lot of people try to save money and that's like
a safe thing. They like, well, that's not a crime.
(10:57):
But if you live in Boston and your report you're
living like in Westwood, you're saving like two thousand dollars
of insurance, which I don't blame them, but it is
crime because you're stealing from the insurance company because you
should be paying four thousand versus two thousand. Yes, you know,
And there's a lot of simple ones. It could be
(11:19):
also parents that the kids stole the car, crashed it
and then their lives say, well that's how I found it,
but they don't want to get the kid in trouble.
Oh you protect your kid and you know, and.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
It ends up being like a completely felony.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Yeah, chooses you have two felonies. Wow, yeah, so you
don't realize that.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
So how do you go from insurance and fraud and
criminal activity to establishing the most iconic, longest, proudest Puerto
Rican festival?
Speaker 3 (11:59):
You know, since I was little, I always organized every
event at the high school.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
I don't know why.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
I always was like the organizer.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Because you're a leader, That's why.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
And I did a lot of fundraising at the school
and I always did so when I met Eddie Alisea,
I was trying to buy tickets for an event and
then I said, you know, I can get you a
few people. And I sold about ten tables for him
and then he says, you know what, I need you
on this board. And I thought I was just going
to help out throughout the year, but did not realize
(12:32):
that they voted me in.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
And then he.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Says, welcome to the Puerto Rican Festival.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
And I'm like what, So explain to me a little
bit of what is the Puerto Rican Festival?
Speaker 2 (12:43):
What does that mean. It's not just a gathering.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
It's not a gathering, and this is for everybody to attend.
We're just educating the public about our culture, about the food,
about the music, about even having you know, vendor that
will sell Puerto Rican items. And it's a time for
family to gather and it's a time to educate even
(13:08):
the kids today. So we do have rise for the kids.
We have all kinds of activities happening all day. We
do about nine hours and plus you know the food
that the people probably a lot of them don't know
where to find that. This is the place to get
it at the Puerto Rican Festival event.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
So for me coming from a completely different place, right,
I have been in Boston for twenty something years.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Not to share my age already.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
We don't say it, don't say it, don't say it, please,
But when I got here in two thousand and one,
the Puerto Rican Festival was already a staple for Boston,
and it's for New York as well. I mean, like
I think in different parts of the country, you have
that Puerto Rican heritage and people feel very proud of it.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Now you're not just a parade.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
It is be Yon just like walking around with flags
and just showcasing your pride for your country.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Right, it is a pageant.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
It is the Puerto Rican Night at the Red Sox. Like,
tell me everything that you guys are doing right now.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
So right now we start with the pageant. Well, we're
actually going to have actually dressed to empowerful girls five
to twenty two the name, So the girls in the
pageant are going to be dressed up like they're going
for a job interview. We bring women there are powerful
women that can talk to them about Korea path, how
they got there, the struggles. And then that's one day
(14:36):
in May. Third then the pageant through the whole process
that girls are training to be in the pageant, so
it's not like they just go and compete. It's not
a beauty pageant. It's based on history of Puerto Rico.
So we're educating them off the history, thank you. And
so we take everything including We've had a girl that
was has celeble policy, so we always start to include
(14:59):
a law people even with disability, that we will welcome
them to be part of this festival, in the parade
and everything we do. Then we have the festival, well
the Red Sox July ninth at Fenway and.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
What does that mean? The Puerto Rican Day at Family.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
We have music, we have dance groups and we play
salsa in every Puerto Rican song every time there's a break.
And I've never seen so many Puerto Ricans come from
all over the place.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
It gets back.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
It is such a moment of proudness that people come
there and we're talking people from Holyo, people from Springfield, Connecticut.
It is a very nice sold out event.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
You have like a special jersey too. Yes, we do
every How did you make that happen?
Speaker 2 (15:47):
That's so hard.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
So we've worked many many years with this and Nadie
Ali said, was finally able to get it done with
someone else, Greg And so what he did is he
connected us with the Red Socks and we had the
first year four years ago and then since then we
worked together in designing the jersey, bringing the music, bringing
(16:11):
dance group, and I even do their flyers, so I
do all the flyers for them, and they just said
to me, I think we're going to employ you to
do all our graphics.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
That's my new thing doing.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
I'm telling you you guys, you're like a Swiss army knife.
Like you you have so much and so many talents.
But is important I think for us as Latinos, not
just Puerto Ricans, but you open the door to like
many different cultures too, because now they have the Dominican Knight,
they have the Haitian Knight, they have like so many
(16:48):
many events that are reflecting our culture individually. And it's
all thanks to you, guys, because if you hadn't done
that or thought about it, like, we could be still
watching a Red Sox game the same way that everybody
else would or they probably do it at other parks.
So we got to give it up to the Red
Sox and FAMWA Sports Group, but also to you guys
(17:10):
for opening doors for many other cultures and many many
other countries.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
So thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Thank you too for supporting us. And we're exciting because
we're supporting every festival as well. We try to go
to as many festival to support them. And then we
have the two day festival, which you know, it's all
day the parade which I expect everybody as many people
to join us and come see the parade.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
And what time does that start? Twelve known, okay, and
it starts from what point to what point?
Speaker 3 (17:43):
So it's going to be from Roxbury Community College right
across from there all the way to Franklin Park, Nice,
so it's about three miles.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Who can participate on.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
Those anybody, We welcome everybody. We are so diverse that
we have all kinds of We even have football teams
in it, we have cheerleaders in it. So anyone that
wants to participate, they welcome to a ton and be
part of that.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
And people.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
So you know the other day I was part of
a conversation and on the LISTO, Marilyn, how much money
do you make for this? And she's like, what do
you mean money? Like I am donating and volunteering one
hundred percent and that's admirable. Like you are literally trying
to continue your history in this state right representing Puerto Rico.
(18:31):
But for other companies that can support this organization, what
would be like for I don't know, like a restaurant
to be part of it?
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Can they be part of it?
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Yes, we welcome restaurants, any sponsors, you know, anybody that
can support this festival so that we can continue to
bring programs for the youth as well with us another
program that we've been trying to implement. We can also
like the girls now are able to go to Puerto Rico,
thank you to Delta Airlines. We will be funding that
(19:02):
three girls to go to Puerto Rico. We're looking for
someone to fund the hotels for them to go to
Puerto Rico, and part of that trip is for them
to go and do educational tour in Puerto Rico.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
How important it is to really connect with your background
and I see it and you guys hear me speak
about my daughter all the time in Lo Digo, Toola
Mande Mexicoo, like she was back there, meeting family, learning
really what the culture is all about, sending her to
museums we went to. I cannot even tell you how
(19:38):
many places, just so she can connect, same with the
Dominican Republic, because she's have Dominican For these girls to
have the opportunity to go back to Puerto Rico and
actually absorb and not to diverse a conversation, but now
having such an emblem like that bunny bringing or highlighting
Puerto Rico across the world, and I can only imagine
(20:00):
the pride that you guys can feel of like, yeah,
I'm Puerto Rican, I'm motriqua all I have.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
To say, this is actually the first time that they're
doing it many many years to have a to get
a scholarship and then an educational trip. But I can
see talking to the girls in the past three or
four years, most of them have never been to Puerto Rico,
and I know I made sure my kids have gone
(20:28):
there multiple times and they love it.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
And it's shocking for a lot of families there to
find that my kids who are bi racial that they
eat love Spanish food. But you know, I go, yeah,
all that and that's all they eat. So they and
they're like, oh wowlham.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Me that. You know.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
I'm like, yeah, you got to teach them this. And
so they cook the food. They cook Spanish food themselves.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
That's fantastic.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
I'm my oldest one does the best panillas really, so.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
When am I coming over for da So it is important.
Speaker 3 (21:07):
So I wanted them to also learn every time. Very
few people that I know girls have been to Puerto Rico.
And part of it is financial. Part of the family
are they have parents who have never been there either. Uh,
and parents probably don't really care about educating to carry
this tradition. And so if we keep letting it happen,
(21:28):
this culture is going to die. Yes, we wanted to
continue to keep it alive.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
So once you start preparing for the Puerto Rican Festival,
and you can either participate as a sponsor or participate
with your group of friends or people or business or whatnot.
What happens after you're bringing a show. Who's going to perform?
Speaker 3 (21:51):
So we have so far we have for Saturday, we
have Luis Figette arm that's a big thing. And then
for something need no sayata nice. So we're still working
on other artists. We should have a complete list hopefully
by next week. And so it's a whole day show.
We have about five to seven bands playing per night
(22:12):
and then we have entertainment dance groups can participate as well.
We do give an opportunity to local artists so that
they wanted they can showcase the music when at a
place that is one of the largest festival in New England.
So it is given opportunity to community members.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
Yes, so one of the reasons why I wanted you
to be here is.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Because we also expect.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Our community to support support it in a big way
and not just by showing up, but by respecting as
well our culture, our traditions and to showcase and highlight
that we can do events and be safe. Yes, and
also air that with other communities. Right, we want them
(23:02):
to come over and feel that they are welcome as well.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
Right, we welcome everybody. I want anyone to enjoy the music.
Keep your liquor at home, don't bring liquor, no drugs,
no weapons, but everything else is great. We've had a
very successful the last many years with no incidents, no problem.
We do run a very strict, you know, security. The
(23:26):
same with the parade. Participant must register. You cannot jump
into the parade. We have a lot of cars to
try to jump in. We give them a sticker the
ones set a registered. If you don't have a sticker,
you can you get kicked out while the police so
you know, they just want them to respect. We do
have people. We let people know who's going to participate.
(23:46):
The respect and community is important. You can't just go
wild drive and through the community when there's a lot
of houses and families living in these communities.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
So enjoy the you know, the event and how can
they register.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
So they can go to our website, the Puerto Rican
Festival of Massachusetts website and we have all the applications
in there.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Perfect.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Social media social media is everything posted Facebook. We have
also Instagram. What you handle is the pr FMA twenty
twenty four excellent and then we also the Puerto Rican
Festival of mass is on Facebook and we even have
TikTok and we're growing.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
Yay.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
Marilyne, thank you so much for sharing your story.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
I admire you.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Like I said it at the beginning, I admire you
even more now that I know a little bit more
of your background and Yellosavamihine Puerto Rico, we are with you.
We can't wait to celebrate your culture, your heritage, do
it the right way and keep passa Wollstone It rumba
night is seven seven and Gemini of four or five
will be there supporting you as well. So we can
(24:56):
wait to have fun, to listen to music, dance, and
and obviously support and continue to grow this amazing project
that you have.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
We have one more project, real quick? What is it?
Speaker 3 (25:08):
August twenty third Fiesta about Boigua.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Oh my goodness, I forgot about that. That's gonna be
so much fun. I can wait for the sun to
come out and.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
My volleyball and dominoes.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
Jealous, Avam hinted.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Download that iHeart app and pre select Kepas of Boston
as your favorite podcast. We can wait to celebrate with
you and continue listening to all these amazing stories from
Bostonians and people that make our community better and greater.
Those were most approximate, Domingo Glass, Yes,
Buenos Dias, Boston, Estamanana, Nueva mentmos Otra and vitales Pecialado
(00:07):
so fantastical spero o idea jo gonnad mis a young
personal Partea the sar Rojado, Una Communida Super Integrada movie
and for Mada Tamenderica oras ioras Iuras a supasion case
Representer Paris Rien, Puerto Rico, Marilyn bim Benida Pasa Boston,
(00:32):
Quenta cote is Testado the Massachusetts case.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Look at the Tanto, the Puerto Rico.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Bueno Gia Portrayaliaki Kerala and link from fathers the Puerto
Rico simpre nouldura sempre singo apprendianodo danbieing Algokeiga, It's the
(01:10):
down dambying.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
So, Marilyn, you are born and raised here in Boston,
and then what happened in your childhood that your parents
came from Puerto Rico they established themselves in Lyin or
how did that come about?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
So my parents came when they were like eighteen and
nineteen to Boston, in Boston, and then when I was
about ten, we moved to Lynn. So I grew up
in Lynn and they we still my mom still doesn't
speak English.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
That is funny.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
My mom doesn't speak English either, And you're one of
how many siblings?
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Seven?
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Yes, of course because we're Latina, so it's like a
big family, of course, and you're in the middle.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
You're the oldest, I'm the second oldest. You're the second
and the only girl out of stop.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
It, Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
How was it having boyfriends like where your brother's.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Like all over it?
Speaker 3 (02:02):
It was tough because they went with me everywhere, like
you had to walk with them everywhere, so I wasn't
left to.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Better honest, yes, always always, So what was it like
to grow up in a group of seven, you know,
siblings obviously you being one of them, and then all
these brothers have a different perspective of life because you,
as a woman are looking into like my hair and
you know, as latinas were always like, you know, on
(02:30):
the beauty side of okay, I gotta look good my girlfriends?
Were they dating your friends too? Like that's funny.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
I actually dated my brother's all the way around.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
I mean, you're worried about the boys and they should
be worried about you.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
Yes, yes, it was yeah, actually by one of them
did date my oldest one dated one of my friends,
but then he was turn to date another friends and
it was wasn't that guy?
Speaker 2 (02:57):
And you were like, no, no, no, it's better than that. Yeah,
I was like, this is my friend.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
How about your parents? How was it for.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Them to make sure that you guys were in a
good place.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
My father was extremely strict, Like we really didn't do
a lot in terms of, you know, taking us to places,
but they grew up so strict. My mom was a
little much easier, but the rule was my dad made
the decision for everything. So we were all afraid of
(03:32):
him to even say do anything wrong because we didn't
know what he was going to do. So yeah, we
grew up in a very very strict religion Pentecostal Church.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
And for you, was that you think a base for
your success or was it more of a challenge for
your career and for your development as a woman in Massachusetts?
Speaker 3 (03:58):
It was a challenge, I would say more because I
had to learn everything and be independent much younger than
I expected. So I moved out when I was twenty
years old. I bought my first home when I was
twenty four, and I was just determined to thrive no
matter what. And I needed to prove to my parents
(04:19):
that I can be independent and that I was going
to get where I wanted to get.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Yeah, let me hint that why I admire her because yes,
you've accomplished a lot. Yeah, since very young.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
The question I would have to because but alost cannot
stap and for that audience that does not understand very much.
So how the Latino culture works. We were supposed Now
it's different, but we were supposed to live with our
parents until you get married, because there's no way you're
getting out of the house, you know, shaming the last name,
(04:54):
and that was a big part of you your expectation.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Right as a woman especially have.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
To be respectful to your parents. You have to make
sure that you know your upbringing is the correct way.
And I mean you're saying that you bought your first
home at twenty four. I left my home when I
was sixteen, and it was because of that, the clash
of like my independence and trying it.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
But I was in Mexico. I was not here, so
it was even worse.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Right, Yeah, like, oh my goodness, the society speaks volumes. Yeah,
when you are buying your first home. How was it
for your parents to understand that you were like completely
on your own and you were good to go.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Well, my dad was very upset the fact that he
lost that control, and you know, because he controlled from
who your friends were. I had to leave work and
go to college, but I had to be home immediately.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
It wasn't like I just can.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Go and say hey, Gobby, let's go and have a
coffee or anything. It was very difficult and he did
not agree in my first two years when I needed them,
they were they just he couldn't support that.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
How was that for you then?
Speaker 1 (06:11):
In order to become stronger, because some people will just
feel so bad or the guilt, then you would just
stop your life and say like, I'm just gonna do
whatever my parents want.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
But you did not right.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I was a very determined person because I know I
was doing the right thing. If I was doing something wrong,
it was different. But I felt like I was doing
the right thing. I saved I always worked since I
was fifteen, so I was saving my money. And a
friend of mine was the one who suggested, why don't
you buy a house in Milton, And I'm like, I
(06:45):
went through, like I don't know if I can do this,
And she said, well, if you have to work two jobs,
you do it. And so I said, I'm not sure,
but I I was able to put a nice down
payment back then was nothing and I think it was
like two thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Oh my goodness, just like now right.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Now, that doesn't go yeah, paperwork.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Yeah exactly, never mind.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
So yeah, and I lived with a roommate like maybe
on a year or so, and then we were able
to just manage like a one bedroom apartment, uh, just
so that we can save money. And I finally got
my house.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
So did you go to college? Yes, I did, And
what was your major?
Speaker 3 (07:29):
So? I have an a social degree in Business Business Administration.
I have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a
master's degree in counseling psychology.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
I'm telling you, guys, you have no idea who I
have here in the studio.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
And when you start working, what was your first job?
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Like, I worked an insurance company, and I worked my
way up. You know, I was just a very fast
learner and I was only Latina that the employee there
at this insurance company for a very long time. And
I worked there for like twelve years and then I
(08:07):
moved on and I learned to do civil investigation, and
then I was promoted like three times, and then I left.
I worked now at the insurance Fraubireau, where I do
criminal investigation.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Is Sandy, I would love to learn more about that.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
And so with that, it was a very scary transition
for me because why scary Because when I did Sibyl,
it's in the office, you're on the phone, you don't
meet people. But this one you have to go out
and find people. You have to go find all the
criminals that are under investigation, so you knock on the
door unannounced and do the investigations. So I'm like, I'm
(08:51):
not sure if.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
I go by yourself. No, we go with a partner.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
But still I wasn't one of these people that you
can be so confrontational and say, hey, you did this,
and I we noticed we have evidence that you crashed
your car or you actually sold your car, but now
reports a stolen or that you are treated with an
injury that you never had. You know whatever, you make
(09:16):
made up a story. And it took me a while.
It took me like a good two years to really
set in and be a very more you know, aggressive
investigator to not feel guilty about what I was doing,
because I used to whatever.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Story page told me.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
I feel like, oh, I feel so bad that you
committed a crime.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
You can't have criminal.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
So, you know, And if they started crying, I probably
would have just like hugged them and say, oh, I'm
so sorry, But not now.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Because you know, that's a choice, right, that's a choice.
You know what you would doing, you you know.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
And so we don't work for the insurance companies, a
separate agency that by state statute, they have to refer
the cases to US any insurance company in the state
of Massachusetts or any state, so we get the cases.
And so I am the first and only Latina that
ever employed at this organization.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Still, wowpanel, I mean like all these Yeah, because I
can tell you and I am almost positive that our
data shows probably that those numbers are higher because of
the resources that we have and the lack of knowledge
that we have. Maybe they're not fully criminals, but they
probably don't understand also a lot of the laws.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Right, Yeah, that is true.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
I think a lot of people come here and they
don't understand about certain laws. When you a contract, when
you sign with the insurance company that you can even
it's a criminal, a crime when you say you live
in one street when you don't live there. So a
lot of people try to save money and that's like
a safe thing. They like, well, that's not a crime.
(10:57):
But if you live in Boston and your report you're
living like in Westwood, you're saving like two thousand dollars
of insurance, which I don't blame them, but it is
crime because you're stealing from the insurance company because you
should be paying four thousand versus two thousand. Yes, you know,
And there's a lot of simple ones. It could be
(11:19):
also parents that the kids stole the car, crashed it
and then their lives say, well that's how I found it,
but they don't want to get the kid in trouble.
Oh you protect your kid and you know, and.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
It ends up being like a completely felony.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Yeah, chooses you have two felonies. Wow, yeah, so you
don't realize that.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
So how do you go from insurance and fraud and
criminal activity to establishing the most iconic, longest, proudest Puerto
Rican festival?
Speaker 3 (11:59):
You know, since I was little, I always organized every
event at the high school.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
I don't know why.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
I always was like the organizer.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Because you're a leader, That's why.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
And I did a lot of fundraising at the school
and I always did so when I met Eddie Alisea,
I was trying to buy tickets for an event and
then I said, you know, I can get you a
few people. And I sold about ten tables for him
and then he says, you know what, I need you
on this board. And I thought I was just going
to help out throughout the year, but did not realize
(12:32):
that they voted me in.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
And then he.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Says, welcome to the Puerto Rican Festival.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
And I'm like what, So explain to me a little
bit of what is the Puerto Rican Festival?
Speaker 2 (12:43):
What does that mean. It's not just a gathering.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
It's not a gathering, and this is for everybody to attend.
We're just educating the public about our culture, about the food,
about the music, about even having you know, vendor that
will sell Puerto Rican items. And it's a time for
family to gather and it's a time to educate even
(13:08):
the kids today. So we do have rise for the kids.
We have all kinds of activities happening all day. We
do about nine hours and plus you know the food
that the people probably a lot of them don't know
where to find that. This is the place to get
it at the Puerto Rican Festival event.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
So for me coming from a completely different place, right,
I have been in Boston for twenty something years.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Not to share my age already.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
We don't say it, don't say it, don't say it, please,
But when I got here in two thousand and one,
the Puerto Rican Festival was already a staple for Boston,
and it's for New York as well. I mean, like
I think in different parts of the country, you have
that Puerto Rican heritage and people feel very proud of it.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Now you're not just a parade.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
It is be Yon just like walking around with flags
and just showcasing your pride for your country.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Right, it is a pageant.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
It is the Puerto Rican Night at the Red Sox. Like,
tell me everything that you guys are doing right now.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
So right now we start with the pageant. Well, we're
actually going to have actually dressed to empowerful girls five
to twenty two the name, So the girls in the
pageant are going to be dressed up like they're going
for a job interview. We bring women there are powerful
women that can talk to them about Korea path, how
they got there, the struggles. And then that's one day
(14:36):
in May. Third then the pageant through the whole process
that girls are training to be in the pageant, so
it's not like they just go and compete. It's not
a beauty pageant. It's based on history of Puerto Rico.
So we're educating them off the history, thank you. And
so we take everything including We've had a girl that
was has celeble policy, so we always start to include
(14:59):
a law people even with disability, that we will welcome
them to be part of this festival, in the parade
and everything we do. Then we have the festival, well
the Red Sox July ninth at Fenway and.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
What does that mean? The Puerto Rican Day at Family.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
We have music, we have dance groups and we play
salsa in every Puerto Rican song every time there's a break.
And I've never seen so many Puerto Ricans come from
all over the place.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
It gets back.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
It is such a moment of proudness that people come
there and we're talking people from Holyo, people from Springfield, Connecticut.
It is a very nice sold out event.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
You have like a special jersey too. Yes, we do
every How did you make that happen?
Speaker 2 (15:47):
That's so hard.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
So we've worked many many years with this and Nadie
Ali said, was finally able to get it done with
someone else, Greg And so what he did is he
connected us with the Red Socks and we had the
first year four years ago and then since then we
worked together in designing the jersey, bringing the music, bringing
(16:11):
dance group, and I even do their flyers, so I
do all the flyers for them, and they just said
to me, I think we're going to employ you to
do all our graphics.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
That's my new thing doing.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
I'm telling you you guys, you're like a Swiss army knife.
Like you you have so much and so many talents.
But is important I think for us as Latinos, not
just Puerto Ricans, but you open the door to like
many different cultures too, because now they have the Dominican Knight,
they have the Haitian Knight, they have like so many
(16:48):
many events that are reflecting our culture individually. And it's
all thanks to you, guys, because if you hadn't done
that or thought about it, like, we could be still
watching a Red Sox game the same way that everybody
else would or they probably do it at other parks.
So we got to give it up to the Red
Sox and FAMWA Sports Group, but also to you guys
(17:10):
for opening doors for many other cultures and many many
other countries.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
So thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Thank you too for supporting us. And we're exciting because
we're supporting every festival as well. We try to go
to as many festival to support them. And then we
have the two day festival, which you know, it's all
day the parade which I expect everybody as many people
to join us and come see the parade.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
And what time does that start? Twelve known, okay, and
it starts from what point to what point?
Speaker 3 (17:43):
So it's going to be from Roxbury Community College right
across from there all the way to Franklin Park, Nice,
so it's about three miles.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Who can participate on.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
Those anybody, We welcome everybody. We are so diverse that
we have all kinds of We even have football teams
in it, we have cheerleaders in it. So anyone that
wants to participate, they welcome to a ton and be
part of that.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
And people.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
So you know the other day I was part of
a conversation and on the LISTO, Marilyn, how much money
do you make for this? And she's like, what do
you mean money? Like I am donating and volunteering one
hundred percent and that's admirable. Like you are literally trying
to continue your history in this state right representing Puerto Rico.
(18:31):
But for other companies that can support this organization, what
would be like for I don't know, like a restaurant
to be part of it?
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Can they be part of it?
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Yes, we welcome restaurants, any sponsors, you know, anybody that
can support this festival so that we can continue to
bring programs for the youth as well with us another
program that we've been trying to implement. We can also
like the girls now are able to go to Puerto Rico,
thank you to Delta Airlines. We will be funding that
(19:02):
three girls to go to Puerto Rico. We're looking for
someone to fund the hotels for them to go to
Puerto Rico, and part of that trip is for them
to go and do educational tour in Puerto Rico.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
How important it is to really connect with your background
and I see it and you guys hear me speak
about my daughter all the time in Lo Digo, Toola
Mande Mexicoo, like she was back there, meeting family, learning
really what the culture is all about, sending her to
museums we went to. I cannot even tell you how
(19:38):
many places, just so she can connect, same with the
Dominican Republic, because she's have Dominican For these girls to
have the opportunity to go back to Puerto Rico and
actually absorb and not to diverse a conversation, but now
having such an emblem like that bunny bringing or highlighting
Puerto Rico across the world, and I can only imagine
(20:00):
the pride that you guys can feel of like, yeah,
I'm Puerto Rican, I'm motriqua all I have.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
To say, this is actually the first time that they're
doing it many many years to have a to get
a scholarship and then an educational trip. But I can
see talking to the girls in the past three or
four years, most of them have never been to Puerto Rico,
and I know I made sure my kids have gone
(20:28):
there multiple times and they love it.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
And it's shocking for a lot of families there to
find that my kids who are bi racial that they
eat love Spanish food. But you know, I go, yeah,
all that and that's all they eat. So they and
they're like, oh wowlham.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Me that. You know.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
I'm like, yeah, you got to teach them this. And
so they cook the food. They cook Spanish food themselves.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
That's fantastic.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
I'm my oldest one does the best panillas really, so.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
When am I coming over for da So it is important.
Speaker 3 (21:07):
So I wanted them to also learn every time. Very
few people that I know girls have been to Puerto Rico.
And part of it is financial. Part of the family
are they have parents who have never been there either. Uh,
and parents probably don't really care about educating to carry
this tradition. And so if we keep letting it happen,
(21:28):
this culture is going to die. Yes, we wanted to
continue to keep it alive.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
So once you start preparing for the Puerto Rican Festival,
and you can either participate as a sponsor or participate
with your group of friends or people or business or whatnot.
What happens after you're bringing a show. Who's going to perform?
Speaker 3 (21:51):
So we have so far we have for Saturday, we
have Luis Figette arm that's a big thing. And then
for something need no sayata nice. So we're still working
on other artists. We should have a complete list hopefully
by next week. And so it's a whole day show.
We have about five to seven bands playing per night
(22:12):
and then we have entertainment dance groups can participate as well.
We do give an opportunity to local artists so that
they wanted they can showcase the music when at a
place that is one of the largest festival in New England.
So it is given opportunity to community members.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
Yes, so one of the reasons why I wanted you
to be here is.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Because we also expect.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Our community to support support it in a big way
and not just by showing up, but by respecting as
well our culture, our traditions and to showcase and highlight
that we can do events and be safe. Yes, and
also air that with other communities. Right, we want them
(23:02):
to come over and feel that they are welcome as well.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
Right, we welcome everybody. I want anyone to enjoy the music.
Keep your liquor at home, don't bring liquor, no drugs,
no weapons, but everything else is great. We've had a
very successful the last many years with no incidents, no problem.
We do run a very strict, you know, security. The
(23:26):
same with the parade. Participant must register. You cannot jump
into the parade. We have a lot of cars to
try to jump in. We give them a sticker the
ones set a registered. If you don't have a sticker,
you can you get kicked out while the police so
you know, they just want them to respect. We do
have people. We let people know who's going to participate.
(23:46):
The respect and community is important. You can't just go
wild drive and through the community when there's a lot
of houses and families living in these communities.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
So enjoy the you know, the event and how can
they register.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
So they can go to our website, the Puerto Rican
Festival of Massachusetts website and we have all the applications
in there.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Perfect.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Social media social media is everything posted Facebook. We have
also Instagram. What you handle is the pr FMA twenty
twenty four excellent and then we also the Puerto Rican
Festival of mass is on Facebook and we even have
TikTok and we're growing.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
Yay.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
Marilyne, thank you so much for sharing your story.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
I admire you.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Like I said it at the beginning, I admire you
even more now that I know a little bit more
of your background and Yellosavamihine Puerto Rico, we are with you.
We can't wait to celebrate your culture, your heritage, do
it the right way and keep passa Wollstone It rumba
night is seven seven and Gemini of four or five
will be there supporting you as well. So we can
(24:56):
wait to have fun, to listen to music, dance, and
and obviously support and continue to grow this amazing project
that you have.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
We have one more project, real quick? What is it?
Speaker 3 (25:08):
August twenty third Fiesta about Boigua.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Oh my goodness, I forgot about that. That's gonna be
so much fun. I can wait for the sun to
come out and.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
My volleyball and dominoes.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
Jealous, Avam hinted.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Download that iHeart app and pre select Kepas of Boston
as your favorite podcast. We can wait to celebrate with
you and continue listening to all these amazing stories from
Bostonians and people that make our community better and greater.
Those were most approximate, Domingo Glass, Yes,
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Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.