User:Aidagiachello

Full Name: Dr. Aida Luz Maisonet Giachello Date of Birth: 1951 Country of Origin: Puerto Rico Profession: Educator and writer, who uses research to acknowledge social justice issues pertaining to health and human services Life Story: At a young age, Aida Giachello knew the definition of poor. It meant being on welfare along with her father living elsewhere because the family needed the checks. It meant gangs and drugs in the Spanish Harlem neighborhood where she lived for seven years. She had to start working when she was just 13. Being poor gave shape to her life's work as a health activist for Chicago's Hispanic community. Aida found her way to Chicago through a post-graduate research project with Northwestern University. After receiving her doctorate in sociology, she settled in Chicago to focus on social work. Eventually, she moved her focus to health issues.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT: -Named as one of Time Magazine's 25 most influential Latinos in America in 2005 Professional Achievements: -Bachelors Degree in social sciences from the University of Puerto Rico -Masters Degree in social services administration from the University of Chicago -Ph. D. in medical sociology from the University of Chicago -Established the Midwest Latino Health Research, Training, and Policy Center -Formed the Hispanic Health Alliance -Formed the Midwest Hispanic AIDS Coalition -Formed the National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention and Control -Formed the National Latino Institute for Reproductive Health Political/Social Accomplishments: -Advocates on behalf of racial and ethnic minorities, women as a group, and the poor and elderly -Chaired the Chicago Commission on Women -Served on Board of Directors of Mujeres Latinas en Acción -Serves on U.S. Surgeon General Executive Committee on Latino Health