María Agosto. Marcela Peacock Collection. MC292, Box 20, Folder 468. Williams College Archives and Special Collections.
“Take Five”, a Film in CD Format by María Agosto (1995). Marcela Peacock Collection. MC292, Box 24. Williams College Archives and Special Collections.
María Magdalena Agosto ‘95 (1959- ) is a Nuyorican (New Yorker/Puerto Rican) who after returning to higher education, transferred to Williams College. Graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in English and Women’s studies, María was an exemplary student who dedicated her time to political activism and exploring Latino/a identity.
In her film TAKE 5 María documented multiculturalism on Williams campus as well as political movements of the time, specifically the VISTA hunger strike. Then, in her performance art piece titled Bochinche, María confronts stereotypes commonly held against Latinas. By juxtaposing characters such as “Chiquita Banana” or “Lethal Lady” with anecdotal accounts inspired by lived experiences, María challenges viewers to take a critical approach to their own preconceptions. Lastly we are given a greater insight into María’s life with the lecture “Lupine is Divine” where she explores her journey with the chronic illness Lupus and reflects on Western views of medicine and health.
-Yasmine Fagle
Flyer Advertising Bochinche, a one woman performance featuring María Agosto. Agosto, Maria (WC 1995). Alumni Biographical File. Williams College Archives and Special Collections.
“Lupine is Divine,” a Lecture on María Agosto’s Experience with Lupus. María Agosto. Marcela Peacock Collection. MC292, Box 20, Folder 468. Williams College Archives and Special Collections.