Saturday, May 4, 2024  8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Sponsored by Bilingual Parent Summit 2024

Pascuala will be attending the Bilingual Parent Summit to support the District 83 BPAC because they will be presenting about the importance of reading to children.  Pascuala will be available to answer questions from attendees.

THURSDAY, April 25, 2024 6:00 PM

Sponsored by Chicago Public Schools

Will serve as a judge for the Chicago Public School annual Spanish Declamation competition.  Children from 2nd through 8th grade will memorize and perform famous Spanish poems and be judged using a strict rubric.  The winners of each group (2nd/3rd grade, 4th/5th grade and 6th/7th/8th grade) will receive a trophy for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.  

Saturday, March 23, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Sponsoered by Franklin Park Library -  To RSVP click here:

Listen to Franklin Park resident and local author, Pascuala Herrera, present and read her new book Where is Sky’s Real Family?

Sky is a beloved adopted wolf who is being raised by a family of cats. Sky begins to have questions about her “real” family, so she escapes, setting off to find her wolf family to get answers. As she travels through the forest, she meets a family of bears, a family of monkeys, and a family of zebras. Each of these families teach Sky the true definition of a “real” family.

About the author:

Pascuala Herrera contracted polio at the age of nine months.  Due to lack of medical care, because of her disability, she crawled around in her pueblo, La Purisima, Durango Mexico, until coming to Chicago, Illinois when she was six.  She currently lives in Franklin Park, Illinois with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and a dog.  Pascuala has assisted thousands of students with disabilities in and outside of a classroom.  She is a frequent local and national presenter on the topic of her life experience, disability awareness, motivation, and the importance of education for individuals with disabilities and Latinos.  As a disabled Latina, she inspires and motivates others in working towards achieving their aspirations despite any challenges they face.  

Wednesday January 24, 2024  12:30 - 2:15 PM

Book Club meeting at Panara in Arlington Heights

The book club will discussing "Not Always a Valley of Tears."   Pascuala will meet with members and answer questions regarding her memoir.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

FYS 101  12:30 PM - 1:45 PM

ENG 101 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

FYS 101 and English 101 students have been reading Life is a Garden to Cultivate and not Always a Valley of Tears.  The Author will be available to talk to students, answer questions, and sign/dedicate books.  Open only for registered students.  

Tuesday September 19, 2023  6:30-7:30 PM

Event by Galena Public Library District

The book club will discussing "Not Always a Valley of Tears." 

Everyone is welcome to the book club. Contact Larissa Distler, distlerl@galenalibrary.org or 815-777-0200 to be added to the email list.

Wed. June 7, 2023  3:00 -4:00 PM

Harper College Annuitants Association's book club will be reading "Life is a Garden to Cultivate" and hold a book discussion.  Author, Pascuala Herrera, will join the discussion and share her motivation behind the book and answer book club member's questions.

Fri. June 2, 2023  6:30-8:30 PM

The Rose Hill Readers book club from Eastley, South Carolina chose "Not Always a Valley of Tears" as their book for May.  Pascuala will join the book club to answer questions and speak about her memoir via zoom.  This event is for book club members only!

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2023 2:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Harper College English Class

English students have been reading Life is a Garden to Cultivate.  The Author will be available to talk to students, answer questions, and sign/dedicate books.  Open only for registered students.  

Tue. April 18, 2023, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Pascuala was invited to the Mannheim D83 Bilingual Parent Advisory Council for the second of a series of workshops to discuss her new book, "Life is a Garden to Cultivate".  

Tue. February 21, 2023, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Pascuala was invited to the Mannheim D83 Bilingual Parent Advisory Council for the first of a series of workshops to discuss her new book, "Life is a Garden to Cultivate".  

Multilingual Illinois Virtual Conference, Dec 6-9, 2022,

Sponsored by Illinois Resource Center

Pascuala will do three virtual sessions at the conference.  The sessions are:

• December 6, 2022  11:15 - 12:15 PM 

Teaching Children that Disability is not Something to Fear

• December 9, 2022  9:00-10:00 AM  

Our Stories Matter: Mannheim School District 83 Bilingual Parent Advisory Council's (BPAC) Writing Project

• December 9, 1:30-2:30 PM  

A Hug that Feels Like a Punch: Microaggressions against People with Disabilities.

Saturday, December 3, 2022, 1:00 PM

Sponsored by Franklin Park Library

Pascuala will have the first launch and book signing of her new books, Life is a Garden to Cultivate: The ABCs Towards a Better Life and La vida es un jardin para cultivar: El abecedario hacia una vida mejor.

Friday, November 18, 2022 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Sponsored by Latino Summit.  The event will take place at Harper College

2022 KEYNOTE: PASCUALA HERRERA

This year's Latino Summit will be back in-person and after two years of a global pandemic, and countless other challenges, we are kicking the summit off right! This year's keynote speaker will be award-winning author Pascuala Herrera. Herrera brings a unique perspective to the Latino empowerment conversation. Her story will surely serve to inspire the next generation.    Read full story here.

Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 10:15 AM -11:05 AM

Sponsored by Scott School Elementary, Franklin Park              

Closed to the Public

Pascuala will visit all K-3rd classes to read, "My Mom Rocks: Her Chair Rolls" and the Spanish version, "Mi mama es la mejor porque rueda en silla sin temor".  She will teach children that there is no reason to fear people with disabilities.

Pascuala will have her books for sale.  Come and get them signed by the author.  Credit card and cash accepted. Open to the District 83 of Mannheim Community.

Pascuala tendrá sus libros a la venta. Vengan y llévenselos firmados por la autora. Se acepta tarjeta de crédito y efectivo. Abierto a la comunidad del Distrito 83 de Mannheim.

Friday, October 14, 2022 at 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Location - Hanover Community Bank at 6800 Barrington Road, Hanover Park, IL 60133

Sponsored by Conectando Corazones

Pascuala Herrera will share her life story and her books.  Come to listen to an inspirational story that proves that the impossible can become possible.  Books will be available for sale.  Memoir is $20 and Children's book is at $10.  This event will be conducted in Spanish.  

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Thursday, October 13, 2022, 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Sponsored by the Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of Harper College

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Pascuala Herrera will be the closing keynote for the Latinx Heritage Month celebrations.  This is open to students, faculty, staff and the community. Using her award-winning published memoir, “Not Always a Valley of Tears,” she will transport the audience to reflect on the experience of the Latinx community.  The presentation will combines storytelling, visual slides, honesty, and humor to cover a gamut of serious topics, ranging from immigration, Latinx struggles and successes, disability, advocacy to many more thought-provoking topics. 

Thursday, October 12, 2022, 1:00- 2:00PM

Sponsored by Highland Community College

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Using her award-winning published memoir, “Not Always a Valley of Tears,” she will transport the audience to reflect on the experience of the Latinx community.  The presentation will combines storytelling, visual slides, honesty, and humor to cover a gamut of serious topics, ranging from immigration, Latinx struggles and successes, disability, advocacy to many more thought-provoking topics. 

Thursday, September 2, 2022, 12:30 PM

Sponsored by North Grove Elementary              

Closed to the Public

Pascuala will visit all 2nd grade classes to read, "My Mom Rocks: Her Chair Rolls" and the Spanish version, "Mi mama es la mejor porque rueda en silla sin temor".  She will teach children that there is no reason to fear people with disabilities.

Friday, September 16, 2022  4:30 - 6:30 PM

HISPANIC HERITAGE FIESTA

Sponsored by Franklin Park Public Library

Come for an evening full of fun activities.  Pascuala, a Franklin Park resident and author, will have a table with books available for purchase.  She will read her book, both in Spanish and English, to children.  She will also speak to parents about her experiences as a Latina immigrant woman with a disability.  

Friday, August 26, 2022, 9:00 - 12:30 PM

ONLY FOR PROSPECT HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF

Co-facilitator of  part II of "Moving from Cultural Awareness to Cultural Humility: Principles and Practices" training for Prospect Heights Public Library Staff.  

This training is for Prospect Heights Library staff only.  This event is NOT open to the public.  

Friday, August 12, 2022 at 9:00 A.M - 10:00 AM

Sponsored by Addison Public Library

ONLY FOR ADDISON PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF

Disability Awareness Training

Pascuala will conduct a disability awareness training for the Addison Public Library staff.  She will share how disability is part of the diversity umbrella.  She will share valuable information along with practical ways that the staff can be inclusive to patrons with disabilities.  

This training is for Addison Public Library staff only.  This event is NOT open to the public.  

Friday, July 29, 2022 at 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Location - Hanover Community Bank at 6800 Barrington Road, Hanover Park, IL 60133

Sponsored by Conectando Corazones

Pascuala Herrera will share her life story and her books.  Come to listen to an inspirational story that proves that the impossible can become possible.  Books will be available for sale.  Memoir is $20 and Children's book is at $10.  This event will be conducted in Spanish.  

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Saturday, June 21, 2022 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. 

Sponsored by Harold Washington Public Library, Chicago

Learn how the experience of grieving over the death of her beloved mother led Pascuala to create this inspiring and award-winning memoir.  Pascuala will also share how and why she decided to self-publish and enter the De la Página a la Fama contest. If you want a book signed, bring your book or purchase one on-site for $20.  

Here is the link to watch the live stream:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv0wZDv2EyA

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. 

Mini Author Fair Fox Lake District Library, 255 E. Grand Ave., Fox Lake, IL 60020.

Pascuala will be hosting a table at the fair.  Stop by and meet the author and ask questions.  If you want a book signed, bring your book or purchase one on-site for $20.  

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 1:00 PM - 2;00 PM

Discovering Miracles Presentation at Friendship Village of Schaumburg

Pascuala Herrera, a Latina immigrant woman with a disability speaks from her heart In her recently published memoir, “Not Always a Valley of Tears” (which is also available in Spanish). She shares her experiences as a child who contracted Polio in Mexico until immigrating to Chicago. Although she had the odds against her, from crawling on the floor of her pueblo to becoming a successful educator, wife, mother, author, and speaker, she proved that everything is possible.  If you want a book signed, bring your book or purchase one on-site for $20.  

ONLY FOR FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE OF SCHAUMBURG RESIDENTS.

Sat. May 7, 2022, 9:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Sponsored by Illinois Resource Center

Attending an co-presenting at the Bilingual Parent Summit.  Leyden's BPAC and I will showcase the writing project we are working on for publication.  If you want a book signed, bring your book or purchase one on-site for $20. 

Tue, April 25, 2022, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Harper College ESL Class

ESL students have been reading Not Always a Valley of Tears.  The Author will be available to talk to students, answer questions, and sign/dedicate books.  Open only for registered students. 

Friday, April 22, 2022, 9:00 - 12:30 PM

Co-facilitator of  part I of "Moving from Cultural Awareness to Cultural Humility: Principles and Practices" training for Prospect Heights Public Library Staff.  

Tue. April 19, 2022, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Pascuala was invited to the Mannheim D83 Bilingual Parent Advisory Council for Part IV of self-publishing workshops.  The group plans on publishing different vignettes describing their individual immigrant stories. 

Tue. April 19, 2022, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Pascuala was invited to the Mannheim D83 Bilingual Parent Advisory Council for Part IV of self-publishing workshops.  The group plans on publishing different vignettes describing their individual immigrant stories. 

Tue. April 12, 2022, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Sponsored by Bensenville and Addison's Public Libraries

Come and meet Pascuala, get your books signed, and hear her motivational presentation. 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Thur. April 7, 2022, 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Sponsored by University of California, Santa Cruz

Pascuala will present Disability 101.  Pascuala will provide a brief introduction to the models of disability that apply to disabled students, employees, and the public. A brief description of the landmark Civil Rights Legislation will be provided (the Americans with Disabilities Act and amendments and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and disabled student voices will be represented. She will introduce ways to be more inclusive of people with evident and non-apparent disabilities. The concept of Universal Design (or inclusive design) will be introduced for further exploration. Participants will be more aware of disability-related impacts, psycho-social aspects of disability, environmental design barriers, and the experiences of people with disabilities. 

CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.  BY INVITATION ONLY.

Tue. April 5, 2022, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Pascuala was invited to the Mannheim D83 Bilingual Parent Advisory Council for Part III of self-publishing workshops.  The group plans on publishing different vignettes describing their individual immigrant stories. 

Tues. April 5, 2022, 12:30 - 2:00 PM

Sponsored by Tarrant County College, TX

Pascuala will be speaking to students, faculty, and staff on Not Always a Valley of Tears focusing on the following topics:  

Disability & Advocacy

Immigrants' experience & Race

Class & Socioeconomic Status

Disability as a sub-culture and intersectionality.

Closed to the public.  Only for Tarrant County College faculty, staff, and students.

Wed. March 16, 2022, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Sponsored by Franklin Park, IL Library

Come and meet Pascuala, get your books signed, and hear her motivational presentation from 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM.  Books will be on sale on-site or you can bring your own to have it signed before or after the presentation. This event is free and open to the public

Wed. March 16, 2020, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Sponsored by Franklin Park, IL Library

Book Club members will get to hear a short presentation and have their questions answered.  By invitation only.  Private event.

Thur. March 10, 2022, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Sponsored by Gail Borden Public Library, Addison Library, Aurora Library, and Schaumburg Library. 

"Tu También Puedes Autopublicar"

¿Te gusta escribir o te gustaría hacerlo en el futuro? ¿Te gustaría hacer llegar tus escritos al público lector pero no sabes cuáles son los pasos a seguir? La autopublicación se ha popularizado entre los autores como una forma de dar a conocer su obra. La autora Pascuala Herrera compartirá lo que aprendió a través del proceso de publicar su biografía, “No siempre es una valle de lágrimas”. Pascuala fue la ganadora del concurso de 2021 De la Página a la Fama de Autores de Illinois, que se abre nuevamente en abril de 2022. El programa se presentará en español. 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  

Wed. March 9, 2022

Sponsored by Leyden High School District 212

Pascuala will be guest Author as part of the yearly Writer's Week.  Pascuala will share the highlights of her book, read selected passages, and answer questions from the students.  

East Leyden

10:20-11:00

11:05-11:45

CLOSED EVENT.  Only for East Leyden students, faculty, and staff.

Fri. February 25, 2022, 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Sponsored by Illinois Every Student Success Act and Multilingual Illinois Combined Conference

Not Always a Valley of Tears: Miracles Discovered 

Pascuala Herrera, a Latina immigrant woman with a disability speaks from her heart In her recently published memoir, “Not Always a Valley of Tears” (which is also available in Spanish). She shares her experiences as a child who contracted Polio in Mexico until immigrating to Chicago. Although she had the odds against her, from crawling on the floor of her pueblo to becoming a successful educator, wife, mother, author, and speaker, she proved that everything is possible.

Thur. February 24, 2022 and April 7, 2022, 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Sponsored by University of California, Santa Cruz

Pascuala will present Disability 101.  Pascuala will provide a brief introduction to the models of disability that apply to disabled students, employees, and the public. A brief description of the landmark Civil Rights Legislation will be provided (the Americans with Disabilities Act and amendments and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and disabled student voices will be represented. She will introduce ways to be more inclusive of people with evident and non-apparent disabilities. The concept of Universal Design (or inclusive design) will be introduced for further exploration. Participants will be more aware of disability-related impacts, psycho-social aspects of disability, environmental design barriers, and the experiences of people with disabilities. 

CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.  BY INVITATION ONLY.

Tue. February 15, 2022, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Pascuala was invited to the Mannheim D83 Bilingual Parent Advisory Council for Part II of self-publishing workshops.  The group plans on publishing different vignettes describing their individual immigrant stories. 

Thursday, January 27, 2022, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Sponsored by Gail Borden Public Library District

Pascuala will be a part of Voces Latinas, where members of the Hispanic community will be interviewed and asked to talk about their contributions in various fields.  OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  Log in to www.gbpl.info/FBLV.

Sat. September 25, 2021, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Nordstrom (Oakbrook) will host a book signing event.  I will be available to sign books and answer questions.  Everyone is welcome. 

Tue. August 3, 2021,  9:00 - 10:30 PM 

Co-sponsored by Whites for Racial Equity and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Monterey Peninsula 

Pascuala Herrera will read from her new book “Not Always a Valley of Tears” and answer questions about her life story and the writing process.

Tue. July 20, 2021, 1:00pm-3:00pm; Fri. July 23, 2021, 10am-12pm  (NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

Sponsored by the Harper College Diversity and Inclusion Shared Governance Committee, the Diversity and Equity Office, and the Academy for Teaching Excellence.  

Join us for a conversation about a new book by Harper Professor Emeritus and long-time counselor and advocate in Access and Disability Services, Pascuala Herrera, Not Always a Valley of Tears. Professor Herrera will share a reading of selected passages and provide some insight into issues of race, ethnicity, immigration, language, disability, and education and labor opportunities relevant to understanding our students’ needs. Participants will then be able to join a breakout discussion on a focus of your choice facilitated by a Harper colleague and then return to the main room for sharing and reflections with the author.

Thursday, May 6, 2021, 3:30 - 5:00 PM

Sponsored by Harper College's International Student Club, Latinos Unidos Club, and the International Education Office.  

Pascuala Herrera will read from her book and answer questions about her life story and the writing process.