Who was guanill in long island hispnic community during 1980's?

Answer 1

Elizabeth J. Guanill, 1924-1994, was a civil rights activist in the Long Island Community of Brentwood, Suffolk County, NY. Her activism was recently recognized at the Somos Conference held September 19th, 2009 at the Islandia Marriott.

She was married to Pedro Guanill in 1943. They met in Brooklyn, NY. Their marriage produced 5 children, to wit: James Louis, 1947-1970, Elizabeth, Laura, Nancy and Ana.

Her activism was apparent in that she served on many boards and was actually the first Human Rights Chairperson of Latino decent in the United States. She rallied to the aid of Cesar Chavez and his plight for the farm workers in California by assisting and helping organize the boycott of Gallo wines on the East Coast. She was on the Board of Visitors for Pilgrim State Hospital. She was an advocate for the mentally disabled. She served on the board (and was a founding member) of PRONTO as well as Adelante, Pan American Civic Association, Board of Visitor for SUNY - College at Old Westbury, Suffolk County Human Rights Commission, National Organization of Puerto Rican Women, and more.

She ran in the primary for Islip Town Supervisor against Peter J Cohalan. She lost the election and did not run or seek public office afterwards.

Her legacy is one of fighting for the underdogs, helping those less fortunate, educating those in public service to understand the ethnicity of the different Latino population throughout Suffolk County.

She passed on July 30, 1994 due to complication of Diabetes.