In 1987, an Upper West Side, New York City-based sub-committee of the Committee for Non-Intervention in Central America wrote to the Nicaraguan government requesting to be paired with a Nicaraguan city. A letter was received assigning this small group of New Yorkers to the village of Tipitapa with a population in excess of 100,000, and in May 1987 we partnered with a local non-profit, COMPALCIHT (Municipal Coordinating Council for Sister Cities twinned with Tipitapa). The Upper West Side-Tipitapa Sister City acquired 501(c)3 status and became Dos Pueblos.
Over time Dos Pueblos, which in Spanish means ‘two peoples’ or ‘two villages’ began working directly with the communities, its leaders and local government–a dynamic partnership ensued and many people-to-people exchanges later, we continue to contribute to better living standards that are based on social justice and mutual respect. As Tipitapa’s population continues to grow, our strong partnerships with the people of Nicaragua are successfully promoting sustainable development while maintaining awareness for the environment. Together, we work on projects of education, nutrition, health promotion, people-to-people cultural and educational exchanges, and environmental health. By strengthening relationships between our communities, we seek to move toward a partnership that is based on understanding, and diversity of perspectives and culture.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ann Garvin, Chair
Former grants officer, Ford Foundation
Frances Geteles, Vice Chair
Clinical Psychologist, Professor Emeritus, City College; psychologist consultant for Physicians for Human Rights and the Rutgers Constitutional Litigation Clinic—advocating for the rights of immigrants and refugees.
Susan Light, General Counsel
Attorney, Legal Aid Society
Janice Ross, Treasurer
Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of New York with more than 25 years experience.
Sarah Birch, Secretary
PhD Candidate, School Psychology, City University of New York
Eliza Bates: Nurse Practitioner, New York City
Lila Braine: Professor Emeritus, Barnard College, Columbia University
Madeline Boyer: Retired New York City public school teacher
Sonia Farago: Activist, Working Family Party
Steve Siegelbaum: Retired New York City School Principal
Arlene Tolopko: Retired New York City School Teacher
ADVISORY BOARD
Victor G. Alecia: President, Boricua College, New York, NY
Noam Chomsky: Linguist, Philosopher, Cognitive Scientist, Political Activist, Author and Lecturer
Judy Collins: Folk singer
Letty Cottin Pogrebin: Journalist, Author, Founding Editor, Ms. Magazine, Founder, National Women’s Caucus
Angela Diaz: Professor, Adolescent Medicine, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
Barbara Ehrenreich: Journalist, Author and Social Commentator
Dena Fisher: Consultant to international non-profit organizations in the areas of development, health, and social service programming. Previously, Executive Director of Dos Pueblos, Executive Director, Seeds of Peace, and Assistant Commissioner, Westchester County Department of Health; Ph.D. in Social Policy, Brandeis University; Lecturer, New York Medical College, School of Public Health, International Health in health care in developing countries.
Ronnie Gilbert: Leading voice in music and activist, founding member of the Weavers, legendary folk ensemble that also featured Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, and Fred Hellerman
Holly Near: Musical performer and activist, collaborated with Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Ronnie Gilbert in the H.A.R.P. series
Tao Rodriguez-Seeger: Musical Performer and Community Activist
Victor Sidel: Distinguished University Professor, Social Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center and past President of the American Public Health Association
Blanche Wiesen Cook: Author, Faculty, Professor, City University of New York
STAFF
Lupe Ramsey, Executive Director
MA, International Affairs, New School University, New York. International development experience in various countries with community based organizations to support sustainable change for improved health care, education, gender equality, and agricultural practices.
