Elbina Batala Rafizadeh immigrated from the Philippines when she was 7. She is a retired public health nurse from Watsonville and Pajaro Valley. She published her first collection of poetry, "Keepers of the Malicgong Rice Terraces" through Jamii Publishing and is co-editor of Portable Peace Poetry: from Iraq to Palestine. She volunteers teaching poetry in the schools as a Cal Poet Teacher. As president of the Garfield Park Library Friends, she facilitates multiple poetry readings and workshops.

 

Artist Statement:

Her Indigenous Filipino Igorot ancestry, past public health work with vulnerable and marginalized populations, and experiences in the natural world inform the direction of her writing, poetry, and photography. Through her work, which reflects her cultural roots and social and climate justice, she hopes to inspire awareness and curiosity. More information is on her website: https://elbinabatalarafizade.com/