Texas Border Business –
The University of Texas-Pan American welcomes Emmy Award-winning actress and activist America Ferrera as its next guest in the Distinguished Speakers Series for the 2014-2015 school year. Ferrera will speak March 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the UTPA Fieldhouse.
Ferrera is best known for her role as Betty Suarez on ABC’s hit comedy series known as “Ugly Betty.” Her performance has earned her several awards including an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, an ALMA and various Imagen Awards.
Her most recent achievements include her portrayal as Helen Chavez, Cesar Chavez’s wife, in the film, “Cesar Chavez: An American Hero.” Ferrera also voices the animated character Astrid from the family friendly film, “How to Train your Dragon 2.”
She has starred as Roxie Hart in the musical “Chicago” and her leading role performance in the film “Real Women Have Curves” earned her a Sundance Jury Award for Best Actress.
“An Evening with America Ferrera” will allow UTPA students and the community to learn about her life and causes about which she is most passionate about.
A few years ago, Ferrera joined reporter Nicholas Kristof, and actresses Diane Lane, Eva Mendes and Olivia Wilde in an inspiring program called the “Half the Sky” project. The four-hour television series for PBS and international broadcast was shot in 10 underprivileged countries and portrays the stories of struggling females empowering one another for equality, opportunity and change.
Ferrera serves as an Artist Ambassador for the global humanitarian organization Save the Children, a program that seeks to improve the lives of children by helping resolve problems they might face like poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease and also provides emergency aid in cases of disaster and war to help communities recover.
After partnering up with Voto Latino, she became an ambassador for a campaign called, “America4America.” Voto Latino is a non-partisan organization that empowers and advocates for Latino millennials to vote and bring new and diverse voices to this country. This campaign aimed to reach the community and engage in discussions related to voter ID laws, education and immigration.
The Distinguished Speakers Series program has been a well-attended experience for UTPA students and the University community over the past decade. It is an event that offers insight and engagement. Now in its 11th season, the series is underwritten by student fees as recommended by the Student Affairs Advisory Committee.
Past speakers have included former leader of Russia Mikhail Gorbachev, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, author and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou and Emmy award-winning CNN host Larry King.
The event is free and open to the public with seating available to 2,000 people. Students, staff, and faculty with valid ID’s will be admitted at 7 p.m. Doors will open for the general public at 7:20 p.m. For special accommodations, call the Student Union Office at (956) 665-7989.
