Couple shares Cuban heritage, culture
Nate Billings
Issue date: 10/24/03 Section: International
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When Spanish-speaking residents need a lawyer, there is only one true choice.
Aldo Dominguez is the only fluent Spanish-speaking attorney in the Joplin area. He and his wife, Diana, a full-time mother, are also the only Cuban couple in the area.
They will present an overview of their life and culture at 1 p.m. Oct. 31 in Webster Hall Auditorium as part of the Cuba Semester.
Their presentation will be titled "Cuba On Our Mind: Reflections of Joplin's Only Cuban-American Couple."
"We try to incorporate local experts," said Dr. Chad Stebbins, director of the Institute of International Studies.
The couple has enjoyed the semester events.
"I love it," Diana said, "I think it is so great. I'm very proud that people take an interest in Cuba."
The couple did not know of the idea before Stebbins contacted them, but both were happy to be part of the program.
"I was surprised, but pleased," Diana said.
"I was excited," Aldo said. "Anytime you get to talk about your culture and share your experiences, you welcome that experience."
The couple will focus on the differences between each other's experiences in coming to the United States.
Aldo came to the United States in 1965 because his family was fleeing the communist government of Cuba. Diana came to the United States in 1988 on a relative petition through the U.S. government.
Aldo later moved to Kansas City where he met Diana and had many Joplin-area attorneys contact him for help with Spanish-speaking clients.
After the couple got married, Aldo thought being a Spanish-speaking attorney gave him ample opportunity to set up a practice in Joplin.
"A lot of calls come from the workplace," Aldo said. "You see many inequalities in the workplace."
He said that by word-of-mouth, his practice has grown. About 70 percent of his clients are Spanish speaking.
In order to keep some secrecy about the presentation, Aldo did not give away much of the items he and his wife are going to present.
Aldo Dominguez is the only fluent Spanish-speaking attorney in the Joplin area. He and his wife, Diana, a full-time mother, are also the only Cuban couple in the area.
They will present an overview of their life and culture at 1 p.m. Oct. 31 in Webster Hall Auditorium as part of the Cuba Semester.
Their presentation will be titled "Cuba On Our Mind: Reflections of Joplin's Only Cuban-American Couple."
"We try to incorporate local experts," said Dr. Chad Stebbins, director of the Institute of International Studies.
The couple has enjoyed the semester events.
"I love it," Diana said, "I think it is so great. I'm very proud that people take an interest in Cuba."
The couple did not know of the idea before Stebbins contacted them, but both were happy to be part of the program.
"I was surprised, but pleased," Diana said.
"I was excited," Aldo said. "Anytime you get to talk about your culture and share your experiences, you welcome that experience."
The couple will focus on the differences between each other's experiences in coming to the United States.
Aldo came to the United States in 1965 because his family was fleeing the communist government of Cuba. Diana came to the United States in 1988 on a relative petition through the U.S. government.
Aldo later moved to Kansas City where he met Diana and had many Joplin-area attorneys contact him for help with Spanish-speaking clients.
After the couple got married, Aldo thought being a Spanish-speaking attorney gave him ample opportunity to set up a practice in Joplin.
"A lot of calls come from the workplace," Aldo said. "You see many inequalities in the workplace."
He said that by word-of-mouth, his practice has grown. About 70 percent of his clients are Spanish speaking.
In order to keep some secrecy about the presentation, Aldo did not give away much of the items he and his wife are going to present.