Photos: Silvia Guzman (center) at a Housing Action in Sacramento in 2023.
Silvia Guzman is frequently seen at Faith in Action East Bay events (both in person and virtual) serving as an interpreter. The organization’s commitment to language equity means that monolingual English and Spanish speakers will always have interpretation support.
When she was first hired as an interpreter in 2019, she did not immediately feel called to deeper involvement as she does not identify with a faith tradition. Then she attended a PICO Federation gathering in 2020 and witnessed a leader from True North, an allied organization in Eureka, offer a reflection in their Native tradition.
“That’s when I saw myself as a part of this,” she said. “That’s when I knew this is also for me. I had been actively decolonizing my life and was understanding more universal values. Knowing that we share universal values keeps me attached and committed.”
Organizing as a Family
Silvia is a long-time Oakland resident and is the mother of a 22 year-old daughter and twin 15 year-old boys. Working for the education of her children, she became involved with the education local organizing committee (LOC). Organizer Alba Hernandez became a role model for being a parent-leader, helping her to understand how issues connect.
“Education is my passion and my first LOC,” she said. “Parents need to know about everything that we have. My priority is my family. Education is also an issue I can work on with my children, including them in the work.”
Silvia has also become a leader with the Housing LOC – and is currently serving as a Board member. As she continued providing support as an interpreter, she realized a training was needed that informed new leaders about the organization and its organizing model. Now FIAEB holds regular Leadership Development Trainings that do just that.
Hope in Belonging
She has also been inspired by participating in the Belong Circles before the pandemic.
“Being together in person was truly being in community. Being able to listen to the many different voices in my community has definitely been the most enriching and brought vitality and hope.”
With all the problems in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and the impending necessity to keep growing power, Silvia still believes that the greatest challenge is internal.
“Our challenge is that we still don’t see how powerful we are and collectively recognize it. We will continue to build bridges and surround ourselves in a circle where nobody is left behind or is greater or bigger or more knowledgeable – because in a circle you can keep adding people.”
