On Sept. 13th, Julia Alvarez, a Dominican-American poet, novelist, and essayist, visited Creighton and presented a compelling lecture that she creatively titled “Activism and Storytelling.” The event celebrated Creighton 140 as a part of the presidential lecture series, as well as a celebration of the university’s 45th anniversary of its partnership with the Dominican Republic through the Institute for Latin American Concern, also known as ILAC.

Alvarez drew an abundant crowd to her lecture. No one wanted to miss this special event, especially those with ties to the Dominican Republic. Creighton students, faculty, and alumni who had previously visited ILAC, Creighton’s campus in the Dominican Republic, were in attendance.

College of Arts and Sciences Freshman Emma Roth traveled to the ILAC campus for a two-week long immersion trip in the summer of 2016.

“Julia Alvarez’s talk was special to me because it brought back special details of the Dominican Republic that I had forgotten,” Roth said. “Her accent even made me nostalgic for the relationships I made in my campo and at ILAC.”

The audience also included individuals who became fast fans after reading any of Alvarez’s several award-winning works. College of Arts and Sciences Sophomore Maggie Dowd was quickly enthralled by the author after she read one of Alvarez’s bestsellers, “In the Time of the Butterflies,” in high school.

“My sister and I are both huge fans of her writing, so hearing her speak was a special moment for us,” Dowd said.

The presentation did not disappoint. Alvarez’s lecture detailed the importance of stories and storytelling, and how they are deeply connected to activism.

“Let your activism be centered in what you love,” Alvarez said in her speech. “We come out of a great work of literature a different person than when we started. When we read, we become someone else. Stories, songs, and poetry fueled the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement. Stories have power; they can transform us and save us.”

The theme of stories and their world-changing capabilities resonated deeply with audience members. “My favorite part of the lecture was when she painted the picture of authors inviting readers into another world where you are always accepted,” Dowd said. “I loved her passion about telling stories, saying that it is her role in the world to get the story out there so more people will know and, hopefully, act.”

“I loved how Alvarez focused on storytelling about her life in the Dominican Republic. The more she talked, the more I was inspired,” Roth said.

Alvarez concluded her lecture by sharing information about her recent projects to increase literacy and tolerance among the people of the Dominican Republic.

A book signing immediately followed the lecture; Alvarez spent over two hours chatting with and autographing books of those who braved the seemingly never ending line.