Socorro Cano

The interview is about Maria del Socorro Cano's life experiences as a Colombian immigrant to the United States. It covers her childhood in Colombia, her education and career as a midwife, her decision to move to the U.S. With her family in 1969, and the challenges she faced in adapting to the new country. It also highlights her close relationships with her children and grandchildren, as well as her involvement in the local Colombian community in Rhode Island. The transcription provides insights into the cultural differences, personal sacrifices, and sense of community that shaped Cano's immigrant experience. Overall, it is a heartfelt narrative that celebrates the resilience and family-oriented values of the Colombian diaspora in the United States.

My name is María del Socorro Cano, but everyone knows me as Socorro. I was born in Copacabana, a small town near Medellín, Colombia, into a large family of thirteen siblings. My childhood is filled with beautiful memories, especially of my grandmother María de la Cruz Menezes, who walked hours to bring us fruit and sweets in a basket. I’ll never forget how she’d wave goodbye from a bridge with a red handkerchief after spending time with us.

I studied at religious schools thanks to the textile company where my father worked who provided us with this opportunity. I studied Business, then went on to the University of Antioquia to study nursing and became a midwife. I did my practicum year in Amagá, a mountain town, where I traveled by foot or horseback to help women give birth in remote areas. It taught me the value of service and a deep respect for life.

In 1960, I married my childhood sweetheart after he returned from Venezuela. We had three children: María Cecilia, Luis Javier, and Gabriel Jaime. In 1969, we moved to Rhode Island, where my husband had arrived a year earlier. He spoke English and helped us adapt. I, however, arrived heartbroken—leaving behind my profession, my language, and the life I loved.

We started from scratch. We lived in a small house with secondhand furniture. Colombian food was nearly impossible to find. But still, being together kept us strong.

I studied English and earned a U.S. nursing assistant certification. I worked at Memorial Hospital—in laundry first, then Central Supply. I later worked in a shelter and in factories.

All three of our children became professionals. Today, I have seven grandchildren who are my joy. They call me “Coco.” With them, there is a unique bond—filled with love, trust, and tenderness.

At this stage in life, my health, staying active, and being grateful are what matter most. I participate in health and wellness programs at Progreso Latino and maintain friendships that go back 30 years.

If I have a legacy, it’s this: be grateful, stay strong, and never forget where you come from.

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