Mutuality in El Barrio: Stories of the Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service

This inspiring book offers a history of the Little Sisters of Assumption (LSA), an association of religious women. Founded in Paris in 1865, it continues with its present-day incarnation in East Harlem. The story of the LSA is enriched by Kasten (Spanish language and literature, Fordham Univ.; The Cultural Politics of Twentieth-Century Spanish Theater) and Moore’s (theology, Fordham Univ.; Kindred Spirits) rigorous assembly of personal accounts by families whose lives were made better through the LSA’s present-day work. The phrase “mutual aid society” takes on new meaning as newly arrived Mexicans and Central Americans find themselves working side-by-side with LSA staff, even as they receive LSA assistance to help them settle into their new homes. This reciprocity is key to empowering and enabling immigrants to flourish in as educators and community leaders in their own right. The power of storytelling is evident in this book, where individuals get their say. It becomes clear that the “little” in LSA’s name is a misnomer; the goals and spirit of this determined organization are big, especially in the face of scarce resources and daunting circumstances.