Deborah Ramos Features at Palabra!

PALABRA!
A night of poetry hosted by Ted Washington – with guest host Julie Corrales.

7pm pst Thursday, September 24th.

Join by clicking here.

Featured Artist : Deborah Ramos

Deborah Ramos, a San Diego native, was influenced by the grassroots activism that evolved in Ocean Beach during the counter culture of the 60’s and 70’s. Becoming involved in free speech and anti-war activities, she took to the streets in protest of the Viet Nam war and marched for civil rights. She was one of many activists that set the railroad tracks on fire in Del Mar to stop a train from transporting weapons of war to the military bases. With flowers painted on her face, the poet spoke at love-ins in Balboa Park, the “social media” of that time, along with other underground organizers. In addition to anti-war activities, Deborah advocated for women seeking safe abortions and was part of the movement to legalize abortions in California. Believing that public education was failing, she taught art for the OB Free School, in “classrooms” that met outside at picnic tables.

As a single mother, Deborah graduated from SDSU where she studied art, textiles, costume design and history of theatre. She worked in Hollywood building costumes for television and movies, eventually returning to work at the Old Globe Theatre and San Diego Opera. Having various careers, she’s worked in hotels, print shops, flea markets, and was a freelance graphic designer/calligrapher. All roads ultimately led Deborah to be an educator for over 15 years, working with Special Needs students, teaching art, math, English and independent living skills.

Deborah continues to voice her protest and passion through her poetry and art. She is the author of from the earthen drum of my body and is currently working on a second collection. Her poetry appears in publications such as Sage Woman, Dancing Goddess, National Beat Anthology, River of Earth and Sky, Rattlesnake Press, the Fuck Isolation Anthology, Literary Sexts, and more. Her creative life includes exhibiting her art and photography in local galleries. Pre-pandemic, Deborah hosted readings at the Poetry Bench in Balboa Park, but now, enjoys hosting her open mic on Zoom, which includes an expanding array of headliners & poets from across the globe.

After the featured reading we will have an open mic.