City Lauds Doctor for Work with Poor

The Evening News (June 12, 1998)

By Mark Hollmer, News Staff

SALEM – Dr. Vicky Guzman never made a public speech in English until last night.

But the Salvadoran medical doctor spoke powerfully to an attentive Salem audience. She just received an award recognizing her work to help the poor in her native country—despite years of war, turmoil and oppression.

"I want to thank God for permitting me to receive this recognition. … It will make my spirit strong," Guzman said.

Guzman, 52, is the sixth recipient of the annual Salem Award, first given in 1992. Guzman, the award's first female recipient, was recognized during a program held at the Hawthorne Hotel.

She sat on a stage flanked by Robert E. White, who is a former ambassador to El Salvador, Salem Mayor Stanley Usovicz, and Salem State College President Nancy Harrington. Students from the Federal Street School Chorus also performed.

It was a tough time in El Salvador when Guzman began her work, said White, who gave the keynote speech.

"To work with the poor and defend the poor during the time Dr. Guzman began her work was not a wholly rational act," he said.

Guzman graduated from medical school in Mexico and returned to El Salvador in the early 1970s to help poor people in rural villages. As a civil war escalated between the poor and the rich ruling class, the government persecuted Guzman because she was concerned about economic conditions and distribution of land.

Guzman founded ASAPROSAR (Salvadoran Association for Rural Health) in 1985, which works to establish rural clinics and promote better health care.

Though Guzman's work is serious in nature, she also joked with the audience.

Guzman said she heard much about Salem's past and "was impressed with the story about witches."

"I always thought it was science fiction," she said.

Guzman's award is an engraved clear glass bowl that symbolizes the global community.

The award was established by the Salem Witch Trials Tercentenary Committee to promote an understanding of the lessons of the Salem Witch Trials within the context of modern life.

The Salem Award goes to someone whose work advances the cause of human rights and social justice.

A committee of local residents, and representatives from both the mayor's office and Salem State College help pick each year's award winner.

Reprinted with permission from The Salem News.