Saturday, June 6, 2026, 1-2 PM Free to attend, Q+A to follow.
Join us for a talk by Julia Velázquez as she shares her research on Mafalda, the beloved comic strip by Quino. Julia will offer insight into the strip’s cultural and historical background and explore its key themes, including social justice, politics, family life, and the curiosity of childhood.
The lecture also highlights key characters such as Mafalda, Manolito, and Susanita, examining how each represents different perspectives in society. Overall, it aims to give the audience a foundational understanding of why Mafalda remains influential and relevant.
ABOUT THE LECTURER
Julia Velázquez is an educator based in Dallas, Texas, where she teaches Spanish and Latin American culture. As a first-generation student, she grew up navigating both her Mexican heritage and American culture, an experience that shaped her commitment to cultural preservation and education. She earned a degree in International Business with a minor in Spanish from the University of Texas at Arlington, where her coursework in Latin American history, culture, and literature fostered a strong interest in the interconnectedness of these fields. This passion led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Spanish literature and linguistics, during which she focused her research on heritage speakers and the Argentine comic strip Mafalda.
Following her graduate studies, she began teaching Spanish at the public school level, where she prioritizes student engagement, cultural immersion, and inclusive learning environments. She is dedicated to encouraging students—particularly heritage speakers—to take pride in their cultural identities and to feel confident in academic and professional spaces. She aspires to pursue a PhD in Mexican American Studies and to teach at the university level.
