Dr. Vilma Cabán is a dedicated educator with over 30 years experience in Westchester County, New York. She serves as an Executive Board member for the One Circle Foundation. Her personal passion lies in addressing social and economic inequities. In the Fall of 2023, her memoir The Heart of an Advocate was published with Green Heart Living.
Dr. Cabán began her humanitarian journey as an educational researcher close to 15 years ago. Her most recent book captures a teacher’s journey as a humanitarian advocacy researcher. She is a strong supporter of national and international volunteer initiatives working with underprivileged communities. As an educational consultant for various non-profit organizations, Vilma traveled extensively to train educators with the People to People Ambassador Program at the Royal University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; The Teacher Professional Center in Cairo, Egypt; and The Ho Chi Minh University in Vietnam. In addition, Vilma presented findings on Latino education for the American Educational Research Association.
Working with an international non-profit organization, she led program evaluations commissioned by Equality Now, Inc. (Nairobi Office). She evaluated a Kenyan girls rescue center utilizing grassroots efforts to save child brides from the dangers of female genital mutilation (FGM) as well as offer the rescued girls an education in private schools. Vilma Luz’s research in Morocco and Guatemala examined the global epidemic of street children and orphans. Vilma has traveled to the Dominican Republic to conduct research on domestic violence and its impact on women and children. With the help of local/regional senators, councilmen, community advocates, and other dignitaries, she led empowerment workshops and trainings to help women develop a School Uniform Cooperative. For the past several years, she has supported organizations that seek to offer resources for victims seeking political asylum from domestic violence in the Dominican Republic. Dr. Cabán has served as an expert witness in different courts in Massachusetts supporting these victims.
“The Latina Project: Using the Educational Path to Break the Silence of Domestic Abuse” examines domestic abuse among Latina immigrants, and the importance of opening educational pathways for children living with domestic violence. Vilma Luz is the executive producer of the documentary La Casa de María Contra la Violencia Doméstica.
It was filmed in various cities in Puerto Rico. The film chronicles her story as the daughter of a battered woman. Vilma tries to fulfill one last promise as her mother’s champion and advocate. In November 2023, she hosted the premiere of this documentary with Director Joe Negron. She is grateful for the support she is received from The Bregamos Community Theatre and her loving circle of family, friends, and community supporters.
Photo Credit: Photographer Joe Negrón
VILMA LUZ CABÁN 