CARMEN ADORNO
77
I was born in the neighborhood of Arrozal in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on August 11, 1942. At the age of 5 I was orphaned, so my two siblings and I were raised by my aunt. After graduating high school and struggling to find work, I moved to New York City and worked here for 33 years. For five of those years, I modeled for a very successful sari company that specialized in the most beautiful bridal saris. At the end of my time modeling, I was in a very serious car accident that left me unable to work for 3 months. By the time I could work again, the sari company had moved their business out of state, so I found a new job at a nursing home, and worked there until my retirement. Now, I babysit when I can, and am a very active parishioner at a Methodist church here in the Bronx.
I love being a part of the Bronx Senior Photo League because photography is a new experience for me. It has changed the way I look at things and I see so much more. It has truly transformed my life, especially keeping me entertained during the pandemic. I live alone, or with God, as I like to say, and love nature, so I enjoy looking through my window, marveling at God’s earth. I feel called to live a life of tranquility until God calls me home.
My devotion to my faith has helped me grapple with the tension in our communities right now. I’ve used this time at home to reflect on life as it was before. I find myself questioning where we are supposed to go now that life is new in a sense. I want us to communicate more with family and with other people. We should take better care of each other and of our health. My hope is that in my own life and out there in the world, we can find peace.
PERSONAL PROJECT: GOLDEN WINDOW
DOCUMENTARY WORK
COVID-19 PROJECT
During the COVID-19 global pandemic, students documented their experience with physical distancing and self-quarantine. As we had no access to their cameras, they used their mobile phones to capture the constant changes they faced, both positive and negative.