Teams and Players!

Mexico City 1954

Did you know- The Salvadoran squad took the gold medal in the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mexico City. It was during the Caribbean Games in 1954, when El Salvador achieved the sensation of beating the host country in the gold-medal game.

Mexico 1968

Did you know- In spite of the skepticism of sportswriters, Guatemala (one of the least-developed nations in the Western Hemisphere) beat Czechoslovakia (which was runner-up in the 1964 Olympic Games in Japan) 1-0 at the 19th Olympiad in the United Mexican States. On that occasion, the Guatemalan team won the sixth place, ahead of Spain and Brazil, in the Men’s Olympic Games Soccer Tournament in October 1968.

Montreal 1976

Did you know- By July 1976, the men’s soccer team of Guatemala qualified as one of the 13 teams in the Olympic Football Tournament in Montreal, Canada. Previously, they had participated -as the regional representative- at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

Puerto Rico 1979

Did you know- By 1979, the Costa Rican squad came in fourth place in men’s football in the Pan American Games in San Juan de Puerto Rico. In the next year, the national team competed in the Games of the XXII Olympiad in the Soviet Union. Four years ago, they also finished fourth in the Continental Games, behind Mexico (host nation), Brazil, and Argentina. In 1951, CR had won a Pan American silver medal (behind only Argentina).

Seoul 1988

Did you know- By September 1988, the men’s soccer squad of Guatemala was the sixth Central American team in a row to compete in the Summer Olympic Games (Seoul, South Korea).

U.S.A 1998

Did you know- During the 1998 Gold Cup, Guatemala tied with Brazil -world champions- 0-0.

Colombia 2001

Did you know- During the 2001 America Cup in Manizales (Colombia), the men’s soccer team of Honduras made history when they, under coach Ramón Maradiaga’s tutelage, defeated Brazil 2-0. The Central American players were Noel Valladares, Samuel Caballero, Nimrod Medina, David Cárcamo, Ricky Garcia, Limbert Pérez, Robel Bernández, Julio León, Amado Guevara, Danilo Turcios, and Saúl Martinez. Two years ago, Honduras was runner-up at the Pan American Games in Canada. In the gold-medal game, Honduras lost 3-1 to Mexico.

Greece 2004

Did you know- After several years of hard work and preparation, the men’s football squad of Costa Rica was one of eight semi-finalists in the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens (Greece), along with Argentina (gold), Paraguay (silver), Italy (bronze), Iraq, Mali, Korea, and Australia. In the Athens 2004 Olympic Football Tournament 16 men’s teams competed. Without a doubt, CR has won international renown as one of the best teams in Latin America.

By: Alejandro Guevara Onofre

About the Author:

The hair of women with African American descent is unique in characteristic. Any woman who wishes their hair to look at its best will admit to spending endless hours experimenting with their hair and possibly trying out many salons to identify the look and style that best suits them.

Until recently, that process has been even more difficult for an African American – due to the complexity of their hair and a limited amount of styles that can be carried out with ease.

It was of no help either that the products produced specifically for Afro hair were few and far between. You may remember having your hair braided by a relative or friend – a procedure that took some time but kept the hair neat and under control. This is still hugely popular between African Americans, but the time has finally come that they can opt for those styles that were once deemed an impossible.

We can be triumphant – the hottest hair trends, that can change frequently are no longer a mission impossible. Experienced Afro hairdressers are showing up on every street and latest developments in hair products and tools are up for grabs to compliment and tame the most unruly of hair.

At the forefront of style for black women is the music icon Rihanna. We have watched and admired the look of this Barbadian diva since her arrival back in 2005. She started out with very long and straight locks that had us drooling.

Sure, she has a team of stylists to achieve her look, but with a little time and effort and the right products – each and everyone one of you can turn heads with a new look.

The Pop queen shocked us when she abandoned her long hair for a shorter ‘do’, but how well she carried it off – extremely. African American women are confident women and because of this, they can take on the most extraordinary styles and always look red-hot.

So to get your imagination going, I have compiled a list of this season’s hottest trends – for women across the globe.

Chic Bangs - Tyra Banks has shown us the way forward as far as bangs go – teamed with long straight hair, she looked adorable. Having bangs can transform your look dramatically and there are different cuts that can suit every face shape.



The Bob - As mentioned previous, Rihanna ditched her long hair for a short bob that gave added depth and sophistication. This style can be played around with to be either conservative or wild. Be prepared to spend hours in front of the mirror creating lots of variables on a look that is really modern.

The Pixie. The pixie cut is super short and easy to maintain. Give it an ultramodern twist by choosing asymmetrical lines. Halle Berry made this style popular among black women, and it will be a style that continues to be a classic.



Braids. Yes – it is the staple cut for African American women. Your hair will stay as close to its natural state with this style and is one of the easier ones to maintain without overdoing it on styling products. Check out images of Alicia Keys and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Sleek and Straight. Thanks to straightening irons strong enough to tame any Afro, the days of using chemicals to straighten the hair are long gone. Black celebrities such as Beyonce and Mary J Blige look stunning with their sleek looks.

By: Hailey J

About the Author:

Road to London 2012!

Athletics
Did you know- Guatemala’s racewalker Julio Urias obtained a bronze medal for placing third in the men’s 50 km walk in the Pan American Games in 1995.

Boxing
Did you know- Without a doubt, Alexis Arguello was one of the world’s most successful professional boxers. Certainly he was the toast of the Latin American sporting community. Between 1974 and 1983, Nicaragua’s former boxer Alexis Arguello won six world championships ( featherweights & lightweights) and became an icon in Latin America. Sports Illustrated published an interview with Arguello in October 1985.

Pan American Games
Did you know- By October, 1975, the Panamanian Olympic Committee sent a national delegation, made up of 19 athletes, to Mexico City to participate in the Pan American Games, the most important pre-Olympic event in the Western Hemisphere since 1951. The team from Panama competed in six sports: aquatics (1), cycling (5), fencing (1), shooting (6), weightlifting (2), and wrestling (4). Two weightlifters, Narciso Oran and Pablo Justiniani, and one wrester, Segundo Olmedo, were the most prominent national athletes in the international games. Ironically Guy Abrahams, the country’s best athlete, did not compete in Mexico. The following year, Abrahams, an Afro-Panamanian sprinter, finished fifth in the men’s 100m, with a time of 10, 25 seconds, at the 1976 Montreal Games.

Host Country
Did you know- Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua, hosted the Caribbean Boxing Tournament in 1984. Eight nations competed in the international event: Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and the host country. Puerto Rico and Venezuela did not compete in Managua. The Nicaragua’s boxer Gustavo Herrera won the gold medal in the 54-kilogram category at the 1984 Central American and Caribbean Tournament.

Pan American Games
Did you know- The Nicaraguan Olympic Committee did not participate in three Pan American Games: in 1951 in Buenos Aires (Argentina), in 1959 in Chicago (U.S.), and Sao Paulo (Brazil) in 1963.

Softball
Did you know- The men’s softball team of Guatemala came in 8th place in the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1982.

Swimming
Did you know- Toward the end of the 1990s, Panama’s swimmer Eileen Coparropa -the nation’s best female athlete in that time- captured a silver medal in the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. During the past Games, by 1995, she had finished fifth in the women’s 50m.

Taekwondo
Did you know- Taekwondo, an Olympic sport, is a popular sport in Costa Rica and Guatemala.

Track & Field
Did you know- At the 1938 Central American and Caribbean Games, Jennings Blackett (Panama) set a new international record of 10,4 seconds in the men’s 100m, one of the best records in the 1930s.

Volleyball
Did you know-By 1974, Panama won the right to compete in the Men’s Volleyball World Cup in the United Mexican States. This Spanish-speaking nation became the first Central American country to participate in the FIVB World Championships.

By: Alejandro Guevara Onofre

About the Author:

In the beginning, God made man. He then made woman as man’s helpmate. Women have been controlled by male dominated societies ever since. Levels of control of women by men vary by religion, country and culture. In American society, women have struggled long and hard to attain full rights as citizens of a free and democratic society. When Susan B. Anthony began marching down the streets of America during the women’s liberation movement over a hundred years ago, freedom became a woman’s fight.

Women have participated in human rights movements, civil rights movements and voters rights. They have overcome tremendous obstacles placed in their paths by people perpetuating sexism and discrimination. Freedom, in American society is pursued by women as well as men. We all want our constitutional rights. Why should a woman have to fight for things like equal pay for equal work? The right to be considered on equal footage with men when it comes to employment, insurance and loans should be without exception given to women as well as men.

Women have made numerous contributions to the world. Indeed, there would be more if they were still not prohibited from doing so by male dominated societies. It is a woman’s right to have an education, employment, opportunities and a vote. Driving a car is a privilege still not granted to women in many Muslim countries today. Democracy allows American women to vote. This right to vote was not granted outright and freely by the male dominated society in the United States. It had to be fought for.

A womens fight for the right to live as freely as a man in today’s world is as difficult in many cultures today as it was in the United States over a hundred years ago. A woman’s struggle to empower herself is still met with opposition. It is not a struggle of power or dominance, but one of equality and freedom. It is a struggle that in the end will determine the fate of women everywhere. This is my fight, my struggle. It is a woman’s fight.

By: Danette M. Scott

About the Author:

INTRODUCTION:

From my perspective, I think that democracy is synonymous of equality between women and men in the civil society and government. Ironically, there are more women voters, but fewer women candidates. However, From my point of view I think that “Parity Democracy” is the big difference between democracies and dictatorships.I remembered that the Taliban?s regime -the worst dictatorship in the modern history- prohibited women from participating in Afghanistan?s National Government.In 1990 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a pro-dremocracy activist, won the elections in Myanmar (ex-Burma), but she was arrested and the results were cancelled abruptly by dictator Saw Maung.

Certainly, international organizations reports that 10 democracies have the highest proportion of women in its governmental structures: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Iceland, Germany, New Zealand, Mozambique, South Africa and Spain.Another example: under the Administration of Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State.

Sri Lanka, formerly named Ceylan, is the home to Sirimavo Ratwate Dias Bandaranaike. She was often described as one of the most important females in the history: Mrs Bandaranaike became World?s first female Prime Minister. She influenced Prime Minister from Janet Jagan to Gro Harlem Brundtland with her leadership for women?s rights and democracy.

Inspired by example of the “Women Revolution” in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangla Desh, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Bandaraike?s daughter, was elected Head of State in 1994.Her government was very similar that of her mother.
Certainly, there were fewer governments by women?s leaders as Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, who has fought for the democracy and women?s rights in Nicaragua, one of the most poorest countries in Latin America.

Finally I would like to finish my article with my favourite personal motto: “The future is for those people who believe in the beauty of their dreams”, by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Roosevelt, who was First Lady of the United States between 1933 and 1945.

ARGENTINA: In 1974 Maria Estela Martinez de Peron, best known as “Isabel Peron”, became the first woman President in the modern history.She is the widow of former President Juan Domingo Peron (1946-1955 and 1973-1974). After his death in 1974, Juan Domingo Peron was replaced by Vicepresident Isabel Peron. On March, 1976, after 2 years in power, she was ousted in a military coup led by Jorge Rafael Videla. She was forced into exile.

BANGLADESH: The country, an ex-British colony, has had two women in the national power. Begum Khaleda Zia was Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996. Khaleda was an advocate for the environment.She escaped assassination in 1995. However, she was reelected without opposition, but Khaleda Zia was succedded by other woman: Sheik Hassina Wajed, anti-governmental activist. Sheik Hassina Wajed was as unpopularity as her predecessor.Bangladesh was one of the few states in the world whose government has been successively held by women.

BOLIVIA:Lydia Gueiler Tejada, former accountant, served as interim President of Bolivia from 16 November 1979 to 17 July 1980.She was elected President by Parliament. Mrs Gueiler Tejada was overthrown by General Luis Garcia Meza Tejada, who was one of the worst dictators in the Latin American history.

CANADA:Dame Kimberley Campbell was ephemeral Prime Minister from 25 June 1993 to November 1993. But she was not the only one in power. Jeanne Sauce was Governor General from 1984 to 1989.Furthermore, Adrienne Clarkson was elected also GG in 1999. Currently, Michaelle Jean, was born in Haiti, has been elected GG in 2005.

DOMINICA: Dominica, a small country in the Caribbean, has been an independent State since 1978. Mary Eugenia Charles governed from 1980 to 1995. During her government Dominica had one of the most highest rate of human development in Latin America.In 1983, Mary Eugenia Charles, an admirer of Great Britain?s Margaret Thatcher, established diplomatic relations with Republic of China (ROC) or Taiwan. She was apparently supported by the United States and Taiwan for its anti-communism.

ICELAND:Vidis Finnbogadottir was Head of State of Iceland from 1980 to 1996.Vigdis was a key interlocutor between the Soviet Bloc and the United States. She was the first woman democratically elected President in the world.

INDIA: Indira Ghandi was one of the greatest politicians of the history. She served as Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and from 1980 to 1984. In the 1970s her government was marked by corruption, human rights abuses and pro-Soviet politics. In 1984, Mrs Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguards. During her government, she was an anti-Apartheid leader. Many people loved her and others hated her. Currently, she is a symbol of the India.

IRELAND: Mary Robinson was elected Head of State of Ireland from 1990 to 1997. She was a forceful campaigner for women?s rights in the world.The fruits of her efforts continue to flourish: On November 11, 1997, Mary McAleese was elected President.The world recognized Ireland?s Mary robinson for her fight against abuses of refuges.

ISRAEL: Golda Meir governed as Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974. She is remembered as one of the most important women in the Israeli history.During her government, Israel and Egypt, Syria and Iraq went to war. After her death, Israel is the birthplace of important women as Leah Rabin and Shulamith Katznelson.

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NEW ZEALAND: Jenny Shipley had an ephemeral government. She became the NZ?s first female Prime Minister.In 1999 Helen Clark was elected Prime Minister of NZ. Historically, New Zealand is the birthplace of the “Woman Suffrage”.The country?s name in the local dialect means “Land of the Woman Suffrage”.

NORWAY:Gro Harlem Brundtland served as Prime Minister for 11 years. She has been described as a “great Prime Minister”. She is equally admired as an ecologist and diplomatic.Under her leadership, Norway was an example of human development in the world.

PHILIPPINES:Corazon “Cory” Aquino was the fourth women in Asia to assume the position of President. After her victory, Aquino said that among her political projects were the anti-poverty and human rights.She was Benigno Aquino?s wife. She helped win more representation for women in the Parliament. It was under her government that full democratization began.

SRI LANKA: Sririmavo Bandaraike was the first woman who became Prime Minister in the history. Historically, she has been the first woman with real power in the 20th Century. Under her government, the Island, an ex- British colony, became a democratic republic. Mrs Bandaranaike had taken a prominent role in national affairs during the government of her daughter, President Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike (1994-2000).

UNITED KINGDOM: Margaret Hilda Roberts Thatcher, best known worldwide as the “Iron Lady”, was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. She was the most powerful woman in the industrialized world.Mrs Thatcher does not herself as a feminist. Thatcher was reelected Prime Minister in the 1980s and she was an active anti-communist leader.Her economical philosophy provided a model for many countries as Hungary, Czech Republic, Mauritius, Botswana, El Salvador, Chile and Cyprus. Under her leadership, the UK?s economy witnessed the most rapid growth in the 1980s.Ironically, she has not made campaigns for women?s rights, but she is an advocate for the ecology.Europe has produced many leaders, but none as Margaret Thatcher…

UNITED STATES:In 1996 Maria Jana Korbelova or Marie Hana Korbel, best known as Madeleine Albright, made history when she was elected Secretary of State of the United States.She was born in Czech Republic, former Czechoslovakia, but Madeleine became American citizen in the 1950s.She gained international recognition for her efforts on behalf of human rights and democracy. She was one of the few American leaders to balance good relations with North Korea…
Did you know that an American woman was Head of State?
Janet Jagan became President of Guyana, an ex-British colony and South American country.Mrs Jagan, a naturalized Guyanan citizen who was born in Chicago, Illinois, came to power from 19 December 1997 to 11 August 1999.

REFERENCES

-ENCICLOPEDIA UNIVERSAL ILUSTRADA EUROPEO-AMERICANO SUPLEMENTO ANUAL 1934-2006, ESPASA-CALPE, BARCELONA

2-GUEVARA ONOFRE, ALEJANDRO. ENCICLOPEDIA MUNDOTOTAL 1999, SAN MARCOS, LIMA, 1998.

3———————- MUJER Y PODER, CECOSAMI, LIMA, 2001

4———————- NORTEAMERICANAS UNIVERSALES, CECOSAMI, LIMA, 2002

5———————- HISTORIA DE LA MUJER DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, CECOSAMI, LIMA, 2002

6-INFORME SOBRE DESARROLLO HUMANO 1995: GENERO Y DESARROLLO HUMANO, PNUD, NUEVA YORK, 1995

7-NOTES FOR SPEAKERS ONTHE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN, NACIONES UNIDAS, NUEVA YORK, 1995

8-THE WOMEN’S BOOK WORLD RECORDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS, LOUIS DECKER O’NEILL-ANCHOR BOOKS, ANCHOR PRESS, 1979

9-THE WORLD ALMANAC AND BOOK OF FACTS 1980-2000, WORLD ALMANAC BOOKS, NEW JERSEY

10-UGLOW, JENNIFER. THE MACMILLAN DICTIONARY OF WOMEN’S BIOGRAPHY, THE MACMILLAN, LONDON, 1982

By: Alejandro Guevara Onofre

About the Author: