Mariposa Fernández Papers

Title

Mariposa Fernández Papers

Description

Mariposa María Teresa Fernández (1971–) is a Puerto Rican poet and performance artist born and raised in The Bronx. She was the first in her family to graduate from college, having earned a BA and MA at New York University. Mariposa's poetry, which often intertwines Spanish and English lines, meditates on empowerment, identity, family, all through a Bronx lens.

Mariposa has authored Born Bronxeña: Poems on Identity, Love & Survival (2001) and is featured in multiple anthologies. Her work has also appeared on a variety of programs produced for HBO, PBS, Lifetime TV, and BET, and she has performed for the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, the Essence Music Festival, and the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit. Mariposa is an accomplished educator and has also worked towards women's empowerment through a variety of outlets. Her honors include a Van Lier Fellowship, an El Comité Noviembre’s Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad Award, and recognition from the nonprofit El Maestro.

Creator

Fernández, Mariposa

Date

1978–2020

Language

English
Spanish

Type

Mixed-media collection

Identifier

MS-FERNANDEZ

Collection Items

Performances, fliers and promotional material (n.d.)
Folder containing undated fliers and promotional material from Mariposa's performances.

Performances, fliers and promotional material (1997)
Folder containing fliers and promotional material from Mariposa's performances in 1997.

Performances, fliers and promotional material (1998)
Folder containing fliers and promotional material from Mariposa's performances in 1998.

Performances, fliers and promotional material (1999)
Folder containing fliers and promotional material from Mariposa's performances in 1999.

Performances, fliers and promotional material (2000)
Folder containing fliers and promotional material from Mariposa's performances in 2000.

Born Bronxeña: Poems on Identity, Survival, Love & Freedom
Born Bronxeña: Poems on Identity, Survival, Love & Freedom, a chapbook of poems written by Mariposa Fernández

"Ode to the Nuyorican"
"Ode to the Nuyorican," the first published poem of Mariposa Fernández, published in New York Newsday on June 11, 1995, in a feature spread with poetry by other Puerto Rican poets.

Sandra Garcia Rivera, That Kiss
That Kiss, a chapbook of a poem written by Bronx-based award-winning poet Sandra Garcia Rivera, friend of Mariposa Fernández.

Anthony Morales, UNIverses.
UNIverses., a chapbook of poetry written by Bronx-based poet Anthony Morales

Mariposa Fernández in second grade
Headshot of Mariposa Fernández in second grade at Immaculate Conception School, located at 760 East Gun Hill Road.

Mariposa Fernández in second-grade class photo
Second-grade class photo of Mariposa Fernández class at Immaculate Conception School, located at 760 East Gun Hill Road. Mariposa is in third row from bottom at the far right. Her twin sister is on the same row, third from left.

Mariposa Fernández with twin sister Melissa Isabel Fernández after Mariposa's first poem published
Photograph of Mariposa Fernández posing with twin sister Melissa Isabel Fernández ("melleSOL") in front of father's Chevrolet Reliant, after Mariposa's first poem, "Ode to the Nuyorican," was published in New York Newsday.

Mariposa Fernández self-photo
Photograph of Mariposa Fernández taken by Mariposa for a photography class in high school.

Mariposa Fernández professional shot
Photograph of Mariposa Fernández taken for professional and promotional use.

Mariposa Fernández in first magazine feature (Urban Latino)
First magazine feature piece on Mariposa Fernández, published in Urban Latino.

Mariposa Fernández artistic rendering
Photograph, artistically rendered, of Mariposa Fernández reciting poetry.

Ntozake Shange as a boxer
Photograph of Ntozake Shange as a boxer, photographed by Adál Maldonado in 1993 and dedicated to Mariposa Fernández on the occasion of her wedding to herself on August 11, 2001. Among attendees was actress Rosie Perez. Retouched digitally…

Mariposa Sings to Lolita Lebrón on Her Birthday
Recording of Mariposa singing to famous Puerto Rican Nationalist Lolita Lebrón on the occasion of her birthday.

Recording of Poetas Pa' Vieques, an event held on June 13, 2000, organized by Bronx poets Mariposa and her twin sister MelleSoul and held at Café Largo, 3387 Broadway. The event was in support of the liberation struggles of the Puerto…
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