Gonzalez, Gladys: Sarita Daftary-Steel collection of East New York oral histories: NYU Special Collections Finding Aids

Scope and Contents

In the interview, Gladys Gonzalez discusses moving from the Fort Greene neighborhood to the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, life in East New York in the 1960s, establishing community gardens on her block, her school years and race relations at George Gershwin Junior High School, the effect of drugs and crime on the community, and her optimism regarding the future of the neighborhood. The interview was conducted by Sarita Daftary-Steel at Gonzalez's home in East New York.

Biographical note

Gladys (Roldan) Gonzalez was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1953. Her father was born in Puerto Rico and her mother (also of Puerto Rican descent) was born in Spain. Gonzalez was one of nine siblings in the family. In 1959, her parents purchased a home and moved their family from the Fort Greene neighborhood to the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. She attended PS 108, George Gershwin Junior High School, JHS 64, and Thomas Jefferson High School. In 1989, Gonzalez cofounded PS 4 Paradise Garden. The garden was established on vacant lots near her home, which were the result of fires in the neighborhood during the 1980s. She married and had two children.

Subjects

Organizations

George Gershwin J.H.S. 166 (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.); P.S. 4K Paradise Garden (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.); P.S. 108 (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.); P.S. K004 (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.); Thomas Jefferson High School (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.)

People

Gonzalez, Gladys

Topics

Places

Ashford Street (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.); Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.); East New York (New York, N.Y.) |x Social conditions; Fort Greene (New York, N.Y.)

Gonzalez, Gladys, 2014 September 12, inclusive