Keynote Speakers and Facilitator Bios
Dr. Concepcion “Concha” Saucedo Martinez
Concepcion “Concha” Saucedo Martinez is a Mexican Yaqui Chicana born and raised in California by parents in a traditional way. With her doctorate in psychology with an emphasis on clinical social interventions, she has attempted to integrate traditional indigenous healing practices with western healing interventions. She is a grandmother of three, co-founder of Instituto Familiar de la Raza, Inc., as well as a teacher, professor, and community organizer for social justice for more than 50 years. At present her vocation is to pass on to others (particularly young people) healing practices and ceremonies from this continent.
Maestra Irma Alvarado Martinez
Irma, mother of four, arrived in San Francisco as a young child from El Salvador in the 1960’s. Growing up in the Mission District she encountered Aztec Dance as a spiritual, cultural, political practice and became a practitioner and Maestra of this tradition. Later, she became interested in Mayan traditional healing practices becoming a Mayan Aj’quij (Mayan Spiritual Guide). Irma received certification as a Birth Doula in 2004 through Doulas of North America and continues her journey as a Traditional Healing Practitioner through her travels in the US, Mexico, and Central America.
Dr. Berta Hernandez
Berta, a mother of two, arrived in San Francisco from Mexico City in 1997. Berta is an experienced Community Health Educator with extensive training in Popular Education and Theater of the Oppressed. Berta is also a literary artist, a storyteller, and a Traditional Healing Practitioner, that has utilized theater ass an educational instrument in Mexico, USA, and Argentina. She has been an active participant of the struggles for full equality of the immigrant communities in USA for more than 30 years.
Dr. Martina Ayala
Martina is a Chicana born and raised in Los Angeles. Martina has a doctorate in International and Multicultural Education with an emphasis in Anthropology of Education and Film. She has implemented Paulo Freire’s methodology in various community-based programs, organizations, and universities. She is the founder of alternative community schools and organizations serving families. She is a consultant, educator, writer, artist, event planner, and business owner. She has experience leading and facilitating retreats focusing on reconnecting to traditional cultural practices, personal growth, spiritual development, self-healing, and self-love retreats for a wide range of audiences. She is an inspirational and transformational leader, public speaker, and coach that supports those who are seeking to discover their life purpose and personal truth.