Interview with Marleine Bastien

              Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Marleine Bastien
Miami, FL, August 15, 2013
Interview ASM0085000037
Interviewed by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis
Recorded by Javier Carrion
Outline by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis and Ben Morris
Length: 01:13:51
Interview with Marleine Bastien, a social and human rights advocate and leader in the Haitian community in South Florida. She is a graduate of Miami-Dade College and Florida International University, where she earned an M.A. in social work. Bastien is a founding member, former president, and current executive director of Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami, Inc. (Haitian Women of Miami), a community group that provides services to Haitian women and their families. She is also a founding member of the Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition, an umbrella of 15 organizations that advocate for the rights of Haitian refugees. A passionate and articulate spokesperson for Haitian refugees, she formed the Justice Coalition for the Haitian Children of Guantanamo to advocate for Haitian children incarcerated there in the early 1990s, and she also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to lend her expertise to a discussion of the devastating effect of prolonged detention at Guantanamo on Haitian children. She has also served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (now the Americans for Immigrant Justice), Human Service Coalition (now Catalyst Miami), the Haitian-American Historical Society, and the Haitian-American Professional Coalition.
Marleine Bastien has been widely recognized for her work in the community. In 1999, she was named one of the "Forty Special People to Watch in the next Millennium" in the Miami Herald. She also received The Human Rights award from Amnesty International in 2000, the Leadership for a Changing World award from Ford Foundation in 2002, and was named “One of the 35 Most Remarkable Women in the World” by Essence magazine in 2005. Bastien continues to dedicate herself to the betterment and the benefit of others - in health, education, economic survival and social justice.
This interview forms part of the Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections.
Marleine Bastien 2
August 15, 2013
This oral history expresses the views, memories and opinions of the interviewee. It does not represent the viewpoints of the University of Miami, its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The University of Miami makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interview and expressly disclaims any liability therefor.
Copyright to this interview lies with the University of Miami. It may not be reproduced, retransmitted, published, distributed, or broadcast without the permission of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections. For information about obtaining copies or to request permission to publish any part of this interview, please contact Special Collections at asc@miami.edu.
INTERVIEW OUTLINE
− 00:00:13: Introduction
− 00:01:06: Let us start with you telling us a little bit about your childhood, where you were born, your schooling, and your family environment
− 00:07:43: So you went to Port-au-Prince and College Bird [secondary school]… I know that you started your crusade for human rights and equality there… As a teen, you participated in a lot of extra-curricular activities toward that goal. Why don’t you tell us about that part of your life?
− 00:12:50: I know you were getting ready [to study medicine]. Even at College Bird, you also started getting involved a little bit more in civic work. That’s the social part – how did that political environment impact you?
− 00:15:57: What are the events that prompted you to immigrate to the U.S.?
− 00:19:04: So you came here and obtained your master’s degree in social work, and you founded Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami, Haitian Women of Miami, in 1991. So what motivated you to create this absolutely unique organization?
− 00:36:48: The next organization I saw on your resume was a Justice Coalition for Haitian Children of Guantanamo. In 1995, that was formed. What was the purpose…?
− 00:44:57: Out of all of these [initiatives], and many of these campaigns and changes that you made, which one… is there any one or two in particular that had the most impact in changing the life of immigrants?
− 00:56:39: I’m not sure if you want to answer it or not, but it’s ok. You’ve been recognized for your work all over the world, but is there one particular award that’s closest to your heart?
Marleine Bastien 3
August 15, 2013
− 01:02:25: You mentioned something earlier – you have people who applaud and others who criticize. How would you want people to remember you?
− 01:03:58: We talk about how busy you are. What do you like to do in your spare time?
− 01:05:11: And I know you write poetry also?
− 01:11:07: Is there anything else you’d like to talk about, or conclude?
− 01:13:51: END OF INTERVIEW