Memoir of a visionary: Antonia Pantoja

Part 1 Toward a Clear Identity (1922-1944) 1 --

Grandfather 4 --

Grandmother 7 --

Aunt Magui 13 --

Other Family Members 16 --

My Mother and the Unknown Father 18 --

Growing Up Poor in Barrio Obrero 24 --

Vacations in an Enchanted Different World: Another Culture, Another Race 35 --

Establishing a Home and Becoming a Teacher 38 --

War Years in Puerto Rico

1942-1944

45 --

Teaching and My Departure from Puerto Rico 47 --

Part 2 I Take a Leap Over the Sea and I Land on My Feet (1944-1949) 50 --

Trip Across the Ocean into a Frightening World 50 --

Arriving in New York City 56 --

Employment in the City 58 --

I Become a New Yorker 62 --

Years of a Bohemian Life 64 --

Part 3 A Builder of Institutions (1950-1960) 72 --

I Discover My Leadership Ability 72 --

A Graduate Student 79 --

Working at the Commission on Intergroup Relations 83 --

Part 4 Puerto Rican Forum (1957-1964) 90 --

ASPIRA, The Most Important Work of My Life 93 --

Second Institution: The Puerto Rican Community Development Project and the Study on the Poverty Conditions of Our Group 109 --

Learning the History of My Country While in Exile 121 --

Part 5 Leadership in the Overall Society (1965-1969) 125 --

A University Professor 125 --

A Delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention 127 --

A Member of Mayor Lindsay's Bundy Blue Ribbon Panel 132 --

Reflections and Ruminations 133 --

Part 6 Return to Puerto Rico and Return to New York (1969-1983) 139 --

Returning Home 139 --

A Research Center and a University 147 --

California 158 --

A Professor Again 160 --

We Teach Community Development 164 --

Part 7 I Return to Puerto Rico to Retire (1984-1998) 180 --

Living in the Rain Forest 180 --

PRODUCIR, a Community Economic Development Project 186 --

Third Emigration: The Return to New York City 193.