Rita Danks has a BA in Spanish from John Carroll University and an M.Ed. from Cleveland State University. Part of her education was acquired at El Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey, MX. She has a wealth of diverse experiences from teaching middle school to junior college and university levels.

She was employed by Equal Exchange, a fair trade coffee, chocolate, and tea company after retirement. This job provided direct opportunities to learn about the root causes of migration in both El Salvador and Chiapas, MX. Witness For Peace was instrumental in expanding her knowledge as she shared time and work experience with the coffee growers.

Since 2011 Rita has volunteered at the Mexico/US Border with the Samaritans of Green Valley, Arizona, and Voices From the Border. She has worked directly with the migrant population in many capacities to assist them with various needs. She continues to educate many on the realities of migrants as they struggle through the maze of immigration.

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