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Sobre Emma
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Emma Violand-Sánchez
About Emma
About Emma
Community Empowerment
Awards
Photos
Dreams & Shadows Book
Dreams & Shadows Book
Book Reviews
Co-Author David Bearinger
Order
Events
Stories
Contact
En Español
Sobre Emma
Sueños y Sombra
Compra el Libro
Folder: About Emma
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About Emma
Community Empowerment
Awards
Photos
Folder: Dreams & Shadows Book
Back
Dreams & Shadows Book
Book Reviews
Co-Author David Bearinger
Order
Events
Stories
Contact
Folder: En Español
Back
Sobre Emma
Sueños y Sombra
Compra el Libro
Dr. Emma Violand-Sánchez View fullsize

Dr. Emma Violand-Sánchez

President Obama & Emma in her role as School Board Chair, Arlington Public Schools View fullsize

President Obama & Emma in her role as School Board Chair, Arlington Public Schools

Emma as a baby View fullsize

Emma as a baby

Emma, daughter Julia and grandchildren Victor and Diego are at the Terrace of the Kennedy Center after attending a children's concert View fullsize

Emma, daughter Julia and grandchildren Victor and Diego are at the Terrace of the Kennedy Center after attending a children's concert

Emma with first husband Al Giddings at Virginia Tech ring dance View fullsize

Emma with first husband Al Giddings at Virginia Tech ring dance

Emma speaking at a Dream Project event View fullsize

Emma speaking at a Dream Project event

Emma's parents and five sisters reunite in the family home in Cochabamba, Bolivia after 31 years of separation View fullsize

Emma's parents and five sisters reunite in the family home in Cochabamba, Bolivia after 31 years of separation

Abuelita Julia with Julia, Emma and Susy as children View fullsize

Abuelita Julia with Julia, Emma and Susy as children

Emma with her adult children, Julia and James Hainer-Violand View fullsize

Emma with her adult children, Julia and James Hainer-Violand

Wedding day with Al Giddings 1967 View fullsize

Wedding day with Al Giddings 1967

Emma with two of her grandchildren View fullsize

Emma with two of her grandchildren

Family in Bolivia 1961 View fullsize

Family in Bolivia 1961

Emma enjoying spending time with Jim Weber's granddaughters, Violet Joy and Piper Powell View fullsize

Emma enjoying spending time with Jim Weber's granddaughters, Violet Joy and Piper Powell

President Obama's visit to WL High School. 

Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy, President Obama, Emma, WL Principal Gregg Robertson View fullsize

President Obama's visit to WL High School. Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy, President Obama, Emma, WL Principal Gregg Robertson

Emma with grandson, Jaimito View fullsize

Emma with grandson, Jaimito

Arlington Public Schools - School Board photo with Northern Virginia Community College President Robert Templin, APS Superintendent Patrick Murphy View fullsize

Arlington Public Schools - School Board photo with Northern Virginia Community College President Robert Templin, APS Superintendent Patrick Murphy

Meeting with women from Guatemala View fullsize

Meeting with women from Guatemala

James Hainer Violand with wife Mariana Rodriguez celebrating Jaimito's birthday. View fullsize

James Hainer Violand with wife Mariana Rodriguez celebrating Jaimito's birthday.

At boarding school in Argentina,  Emma was happy to have Ana Maria Parada as a best friend. They were both from Cochabamba, Bolivia. View fullsize

At boarding school in Argentina, Emma was happy to have Ana Maria Parada as a best friend. They were both from Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Six friends, Etta Johnson, Evelyn Fernandez, Maria Isabel Hoyt, Carol Reiger, and Emma were united to share sentiments of loss of loved ones. They formed a Circle of Joy that meets weekly to share experiences and discuss inspirational books. View fullsize

Six friends, Etta Johnson, Evelyn Fernandez, Maria Isabel Hoyt, Carol Reiger, and Emma were united to share sentiments of loss of loved ones. They formed a Circle of Joy that meets weekly to share experiences and discuss inspirational books.

When Emma was 12 years old,  she  was sent to a boarding school in Buenos Aires, Argentina for two years. The photos are from San Jose school.  It was a catholic school, teachers were nuns. View fullsize

When Emma was 12 years old, she was sent to a boarding school in Buenos Aires, Argentina for two years. The photos are from San Jose school. It was a catholic school, teachers were nuns.

Arlington County Board member Walter Tejada, Alfonso Lopez, delegate to the General Assembly celebrate Barak Obama's and Emma Violand-Sanchez election to Arlington School Board on November 4, 2008 View fullsize

Arlington County Board member Walter Tejada, Alfonso Lopez, delegate to the General Assembly celebrate Barak Obama's and Emma Violand-Sanchez election to Arlington School Board on November 4, 2008

Jim Weber and Emma were partners for 21 years. It was a loving and caring relationship; he died in April 2020. View fullsize

Jim Weber and Emma were partners for 21 years. It was a loving and caring relationship; he died in April 2020.

Emma won first place out of six candidates in the Arlington County Democratic Party School Board endorsement.  Walter Tejada, County Board member, supporters and family members celebrate the victory in a highly contested election in 2008. View fullsize

Emma won first place out of six candidates in the Arlington County Democratic Party School Board endorsement. Walter Tejada, County Board member, supporters and family members celebrate the victory in a highly contested election in 2008.

Emma and her grandchildren Victor and Diego on the Terrace of the Kennedy Center after attending a children's concert View fullsize

Emma and her grandchildren Victor and Diego on the Terrace of the Kennedy Center after attending a children's concert

In recognition of Emma's selfless dedication to volunteerism, philanthropy and community in Arlington. The Arlington Community Foundation honors her with the 2018 William T. Newman Jr. Spirit of Community Award. Her 100 year old mother and daughter J View fullsize

In recognition of Emma's selfless dedication to volunteerism, philanthropy and community in Arlington. The Arlington Community Foundation honors her with the 2018 William T. Newman Jr. Spirit of Community Award. Her 100 year old mother and daughter Julia, were present at the Award celebration.

Latino elected officials, Walter Tejada, Arlington County Board Member, Alfonso Lopez, Delagate, and Emma Violand-Sanchez, School Board member, celebrate Tim Kaine, Virginia Senator and former candidate to the Vice-Presidency, at a Latinos for Kaine View fullsize

Latino elected officials, Walter Tejada, Arlington County Board Member, Alfonso Lopez, Delagate, and Emma Violand-Sanchez, School Board member, celebrate Tim Kaine, Virginia Senator and former candidate to the Vice-Presidency, at a Latinos for Kaine event

Emma & Dreamers View fullsize

Emma & Dreamers

Emma and sisters with mother as children View fullsize

Emma and sisters with mother as children

Dream Project parade View fullsize

Dream Project parade

Dr. Emma Violand-Sánchez
President Obama & Emma in her role as School Board Chair, Arlington Public Schools
Emma as a baby
Emma, daughter Julia and grandchildren Victor and Diego are at the Terrace of the Kennedy Center after attending a children's concert
Emma with first husband Al Giddings at Virginia Tech ring dance
Emma speaking at a Dream Project event
Emma's parents and five sisters reunite in the family home in Cochabamba, Bolivia after 31 years of separation
Abuelita Julia with Julia, Emma and Susy as children
Emma with her adult children, Julia and James Hainer-Violand
Wedding day with Al Giddings 1967
Emma with two of her grandchildren
Family in Bolivia 1961
Emma enjoying spending time with Jim Weber's granddaughters, Violet Joy and Piper Powell
President Obama's visit to WL High School. 

Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy, President Obama, Emma, WL Principal Gregg Robertson
Emma with grandson, Jaimito
Arlington Public Schools - School Board photo with Northern Virginia Community College President Robert Templin, APS Superintendent Patrick Murphy
Meeting with women from Guatemala
James Hainer Violand with wife Mariana Rodriguez celebrating Jaimito's birthday.
At boarding school in Argentina,  Emma was happy to have Ana Maria Parada as a best friend. They were both from Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Six friends, Etta Johnson, Evelyn Fernandez, Maria Isabel Hoyt, Carol Reiger, and Emma were united to share sentiments of loss of loved ones. They formed a Circle of Joy that meets weekly to share experiences and discuss inspirational books.
When Emma was 12 years old,  she  was sent to a boarding school in Buenos Aires, Argentina for two years. The photos are from San Jose school.  It was a catholic school, teachers were nuns.
Arlington County Board member Walter Tejada, Alfonso Lopez, delegate to the General Assembly celebrate Barak Obama's and Emma Violand-Sanchez election to Arlington School Board on November 4, 2008
Jim Weber and Emma were partners for 21 years. It was a loving and caring relationship; he died in April 2020.
Emma won first place out of six candidates in the Arlington County Democratic Party School Board endorsement.  Walter Tejada, County Board member, supporters and family members celebrate the victory in a highly contested election in 2008.
Emma and her grandchildren Victor and Diego on the Terrace of the Kennedy Center after attending a children's concert
In recognition of Emma's selfless dedication to volunteerism, philanthropy and community in Arlington. The Arlington Community Foundation honors her with the 2018 William T. Newman Jr. Spirit of Community Award. Her 100 year old mother and daughter J
Latino elected officials, Walter Tejada, Arlington County Board Member, Alfonso Lopez, Delagate, and Emma Violand-Sanchez, School Board member, celebrate Tim Kaine, Virginia Senator and former candidate to the Vice-Presidency, at a Latinos for Kaine
Emma & Dreamers
Emma and sisters with mother as children
Dream Project parade

© 2025 Emma Violand-Sánchez |Dreams and Shadows: An Immigrant Journey | All Rights Reserved
© 2025 Emma Violand-Sánchez | Sueños y Sombras: La Trayectoria de una Inmigrante| Todos los derechos reservados

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