“Public communications is a conversation that is integral to democracy,” said Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz of San Juan, Puerto Rico. “If you are going to communicate something, communicate the truth,” she said, speaking in the aftermath of the hurricane that devastated the island.
Cruz shared leadership lessons from the crisis caused by Hurricane Maria and thanked students for their contributions to relief efforts while visiting Professor Lawrence Parnell’s Strategic Public Relations Principles and Practices class in the Graduate School of Political Management.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, which left the island virtually without power and supplies, Ms. Cruz said the gravity of the situation was not being communicated to the American people. Her appearance on cable news wearing a shirt reading “Help us, we are dying,” helped to spark additional conversations about the plight of Puerto Ricans after the storm.
“Your job as future PR professionals is to make sure that those who don’t have a voice are heard,” Ms. Cruz said.
Her visit was facilitated by GSPM student Jesus Flores Diaz, a family friend of Ms. Cruz who often assists her during trips to Washington, D.C.
Students praised the mayor for her honesty and said her efforts on behalf of San Juan were inspiring.
Read the GW Today story.