(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- The Hoboken Historical Museum will celebrate the release of "And Then I Started Reading Books: Recollections of Maria Peggy Diaz" - the 36th chapbook in their Hoboken Oral History Project - on Sunday, April 24 at 4:00pm.  The event is free and refreshments will be served.  All who attend will receive a copy of the chapbook.

Maria Peggy Diaz grew up in Hoboken and describes how reading books when she was young opened up her mind, and helped her imagine worlds of possibilities for her life. After she was trained in firefighting while in the Navy, it became a career goal. In 2002, she overcame odds and obstacles to become the first Latina firefighter in Hoboken. She was promoted to captain in 2011. The museum is thrilled to help document and share her inspiring story.

The Hoboken Oral History Project is a project of the Hoboken Historical Museum and the Hoboken Public Library, and was supported by a Special Projects grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Department of State.

The Hoboken Historical Museum is located at 1301 Hudson Street in Hoboken, New Jersey. It is open Tuesday through Thursday from 2:00pm to 7:00pm; Friday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm; Saturday & Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.