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Gabriela "Gaby" Ramirez - Tumultuous 2020

Gabriela Ramirez discusses her COVID-19 pandemic experience as both a remote worker and remote learning facilitator for her three children and nephew. Ramirez begins the interview detailing her childhood as the first United States born child of her Mexican parents and the struggles they faced. She then details her experience with remote work and school. She had begun working partially remote in 2019 due to her husband's health issues. With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lock down in March of 2020, Ramirez's work as a quoting analyst for Global Telecom Technologies went fully remote. At the same time, her children's schools also transitioned to remote learning. Due to her husband's recovery from a work injury, Ramirez handled the facilitation of schoolwork and taking care of her four year old son.

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Feature Excerpt

Ramirez describes her daily routine with remote work and schooling.

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Interview session (Audio)

Transcript


Photos

Caption: Gabriela Ramirez smiles at the camera. Behind her is a virtual background of Japanese cherry blossoms.

When: 2022

Where: Chicago, Illinois

Ownership: Narrator’s photo


Caption: At the center of the photo is a white and purple flower next to an upside-down cone fashioned into a Christmas tree decoration. Both objects were crafted by Ramirez through the virtual craft program put on by her middle child’s school. The program and the community of parents involved with the program provided Ramirez with the much needed mental break that came with facilitating remote schooling for her children and completing her own job.

When: 2022

Where: Chicago, Illinois

Ownership: ALPLM Oral History Photo


Caption: A wooden heart hangs from Ramirez’s fireplace mantel, decorated with twine and gemstones. This decoration was made during one of Ramirez’s virtual crafting classes for the Valentine’s Day holiday.

When: 2022

Where: Chicago, Illinois

Ownership: ALPLM Oral History Photo

Caption: A white wreath and white ball hang from Ramirez’s fireplace mantel. Ramirez made these decorations during her virtual crafting class for the winter season.

When: 2022

Where: Chicago, Illinois

Ownership: ALPLM Oral History Photo


Caption: Ramirez’s crafting table was scattered with different crafts she started for Valentine’s Day and for Easter. The Valentine’s Day decoration was made from repurposed napkins and burlap fabric. The Easter decorations, made of burlap fabric, orange felt, and lace will eventually make a carrot garland. These are crafts Ramirez worked on outside of the virtual class. She felt empowered by the class to put her skills to the test and show her mother and sister how to create these decorations.

When: 2022

Where: Chicago, Illinois

Ownership: ALPLM Oral History Photo



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