Leyla Cattan Pialorsi
On behalf of SIROW (Southwest Institute for Research on Women)
During her long career as a journalist in Tucson Arizona, Leyla Cattan Pialorsi devoted her time, energy, and vast expertise to promoting the accomplishments of women to the Arizona community.
Leyla’s 1975 ACTUALIDADES Columns Series in the Arizona Daily Star presented 48 articles based on her interviews with accomplish Mexican-American and Hispanic women in Tucson. These articles brought to light and celebrated the accomplishments of women whose efforts helped to shape and support our community.
Leyla also produced and hosted the Spanish portion of the TV show AYER HOY MANANA. AYER HOY MANANA aired for 22 years Sunday mornings on TV 13- KOLD-ABC Tucson. During this show, Leyla interviewed numerous community members and groups having an impact on the diverse Tucson and Arizona communities particularly focusing on news stories and information of importance to the Mexican-Americana and Hispanic communities. Tapes of AYER HOY MANANA are currently available from The Arizona Historical Society in Tucson.
Leyla’s determination to present news stories of importance to Mexican-Americana and Hispanic communities in Spanish has had a lasting impact. Her work publicized accomplishments of Mexican-Americana and Hispanic women that otherwise would not have been widely known and celebrated. Her work exemplified community responsiveness and engagement by bringing information to and making it accessible to our diverse community.