09 Apr Philadelphia Organization Spotlight: Madre Tierra Philly

BY ERICK BARRAGÁN RAMÍREZ

The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Organization Spotlight highlighting a local film or moving image focused organization, business, or collective doing unique and impactful work.

Established in March 2021 by Arianne Bracho Hernandez, Carmen Marcet, Elizabeth Arellano, and Paola Velez, Madre Tierra Philly is a feminist production company focused on gender equality and ending violence against Hispanic women. Madre Tierra uses comprehensive cinema, print, and media programs to increase awareness, education, and prevention. They develop content for radio, television, social media, and blogs.  Madre Tierra’s content not only seeks to inform and educate but also promotes positive social change and contributes to the fight against the mistreatment of women.

cinéSPEAK spoke with Arianne Bracho Hernandez, Executive Director of Madre Tierra Philly, about the organization, its upcoming film Silenced Voices, and the impact the organization hopes to have within the city of Philadelphia.

cinéSPEAK: What is unique about your organization within the Philadelphia landscape?

Madre Tierra Philly: We love what we do. We believe in the work between people and organizations, that no one is our competition. We work every day to make things better for the community. We know that information is power, which is why our production company is dedicated to the cause of gender equality and the fight against violence against Hispanic women. Committed to equity and inclusion, we strive to amplify the voices of the Hispanic community, focusing on racial justice, cultural diversity, and gender-based violence prevention. We are passionate about the fight for women’s rights. We think that Philadelphia should do more because there are many things that are not right and these issues are not given enough importance.

cinéSPEAK: What impact do you hope your organization has in the Philadelphia community?

Madre Tierra Philly: We hope our work will have a significant impact on the Philadelphia community by raising awareness about gender-based violence and its devastating impacts. We want to inform, sensitize, educate, and entertain, always in alignment with our values and benefiting the community.

[One way we hope to do this is through our new documentary] Silenced Voices, currently in pre-production, that explores the stories of five women from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds who bravely share their experiences of violence against women in Philadelphia. The film delves into the reality of these women, revealing how domestic violence, gender[-based] violence, and other types of violence have deeply impacted their lives and those of their families.

Through awareness and education, we hope to contribute to the creation of a safer and more compassionate environment for all people in Philadelphia, where gender-based violence is rejected and victims can find the support and help they need. 

cinéSPEAK: How has Philadelphia shaped and influenced the process and content of your work?

Madre Tierra Philly: This diverse and vibrant city has witnessed a wide range of human experiences, including those related to gender-based violence and the fight for social justice. Being immersed in this community, we have had the opportunity to listen to the voices of people from different backgrounds and cultures, which has enriched my understanding of the complexity of violence against women. In addition, Philadelphia has been the scene of numerous initiatives and movements aimed at addressing these issues, which has inspired my personal and professional commitment to prevention and awareness. In short, Philadelphia’s unique atmosphere and rich history have played a pivotal role in shaping my approach and deepening my commitment to social justice through our work in the media.

cinéSPEAK: Tell us something exciting that is coming up for your organization.

Madre Tierra Philly: I think great things are coming. From the production company we have two programs currently: 

Madre Tierra Philly is broadcasted live on Fridays from 5-6 PM through multiple platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, [and] PhillyCAM. This production aims [to] empower the Hispanic community around the world, addressing issues that no one dares to talk about. It has become an essential platform to spread messages about equity, social and racial equality, and especially, the eradication of violence against women; furthermore, its mission is to advocate for more just and humane societies and empower the Hispanic community. Voces de Madre Tierra is on Telemundo 62 every Saturday at 11:30 AM. It is a television program that breaks the stereotypes of local television. We [also] have Latinas al día con la Tecnología, which is a series of animated informative shorts that seek to bring Latin women closer to technology and reduce the technological gap for women. Last but not least, we are also looking forward to the April/May premiere of Philly Sports, which will do sports journalism with a gender perspective.

cinéSPEAK: What are some of the programs or opportunities at your organization that folks can get involved in?

Madre Tierra Philly: We are always looking for new voices [and] new projects. There is also the option of writing on our blog, and with respect to the Centro Integral de la Mujer, the non-profit organization that belongs to Madre Tierra Producciones, there are workshops [and] talks on the prevention of violence against women. 

The congress “Todas las Mujeres que Viven en Mi” (“All the Women Who Live in Me”) [will include] training and reflective activities around topics such as health, wellbeing, and female empowerment. [The conference will feature] presentations by experts in different areas.

We seek to open a space to discuss these issues and create a common agenda that allows us to address them, think, rethink, build, and reconstruct ourselves, and of course the support network that we have.

Stay up to date on our organization’s work by following us on Spotify, Youtube, and Instagram. 

*Featured Image: Image of Arianne Bracho Hernandez speaking with Kahlil Jacobs-Fantauzzi. Courtesy of Madre Tierra.

Would you like your organization to be featured in a future spotlight? Please fill out the Philadelphia Organization Spotlight form. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over the publishing of any information provided via the form. Questions: journal@cinespeak.org.

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Erick Barragán Ramírez is an immigration specialist at Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia, PA.  In addition to being an avid cinephile he serves as a board member of the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia. With a background in law studies in Mexico, he came to the US in 2017 and actively volunteers at various organizations supporting immigrants in Philadelphia, including the Welcoming Center, the Consulate of Mexico, and the online radio Philatinos.