It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Blanca Vázquez, an incredible and irreplaceable individual who had a lasting impact on CENTRO, Hunter College, and the Nuyorican Community.
It is difficult to summarize in a few words what Blanca meant to us all, but she was a mentor, educator, activist, advocate, journalist, creative, and so much more. Her impact on students at Hunter College was palpable, as she taught Film & Media studies as a vehicle for critically understanding key social issues and historical events affecting our society. Her thoughtful lessons, unrelenting mentorship, and dedication influenced and awakened a student body that has brought her message forward through their own work.
As the founding editor of the CENTRO Journal—originally called El Boletín—Blanca was also key in opening doors for Puerto Rican academics and researchers focused on illuminating issues affecting the Puerto Rican community. Because of Blanca’s vision, there are now over 35 years and 50+ published issues of the CENTRO Journal by authors who have built incredible pathways in the field of Puerto Rican studies. Not only did Blanca’s work set the stage for Puerto Rican studies, but it also deeply influenced the broader field of ethnic studies and ethnic research centers.
Blanca was also a fierce activist. Her voice shone through all her work, as she fought relentlessly for her coworkers, her students, and her community. Through strikes at CUNY, Blanca demanded better wages and contracts for PSC CUNY Union Employees, and up until her diagnosis, she continued advocating for peace and a ceasefire in Palestine calling on her peers to donate to important foundations like Doctors Without Borders in Gaza.
In addition to serving as founding editor of the CENTRO Journal from 1987-1997, Blanca was also an alumna of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. At Hunter College, she was the co-director of the James Aronson Awards for Social Justice Journalism and received the Isendorf Presidential Award for Excellence in Part-Time Teaching. In 2023, at the celebration of our 50th Anniversary, CENTRO recognized Blanca as a CENTRO trailblazer amongst her many peers who deeply contributed to, shaped, and fought for El Centro and the broader field of Puerto Rican studies.
As Blanca joins the ancestors, her impact and legacy live on through the CENTRO Journal, through her timeless lessons passed down over generations, and through our loving memories of her as a community. As we celebrate Blanca’s life, we also share our love and condolences with The Vázquez family, friends, and colleagues. Losing a loved one is never easy, but we hope that the outpouring of love for Blanca sustains you all during this difficult time.