Reconocimiento Award 2006

Presentation Speech for Elizabeth Ortiz, Career Achievement Award.

Presenter: Kelly Tovar Mullaney - Latinas Unidas Website Chair.

"Elizabeth Ortiz, born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, moved to Rochester in 1978 with her two children and her husband Alfredo. While raising a family and working full time as a secretary, Elizabeth started her business in the basement of her house. Through hard work and sacrifices, working endless hours, she pursued her passion and converted a hobby of arts and crafts into what is today a successful business with 5 employees, to this date the first and only Latina-own full service florist and party store: Silk Creations.

As a business owner, Elizabeth learned to run the business first hand, participating in bridal and fashion shows, business expos, and being an active member in the Hudson Avenue Business Association, Rochester Hispanic Business Association, and is a graduate of the Rochester Hispanic Leadership program.

In 2003, she pursued her dream of going to college. She received her Associate Degree, continued as a full time student and she will be graduating with her Bachelor's degree with honors on May 2007. Elizabeth has been selected to join the Medaille college National Business Honor society,

As a member of her community, Elizabeth believes in participating and giving back. She has served as a member of the board of the Mary Cariolla Center, co-chaired the American Red Cross Fire and Ice Fundraiser, she has been involved in the Rochester Puerto Rican Festival, the Miss Puerto Rico of Rochester Pageant, and volunteered and provided artisans for the City of Rochester Hispanic Heritage Celebration. She spends countless hours volunteering in events that promote the advancement of women, and has been a big supporter of the Latinas Unidas programs. She has served as mentor to high school students, and she maintains a commitment to employing women who are seeking to improve their work skills. Each summer she provide employment for young women and mothers through programs sponsored by the Catholic Family Center (Good grades Pay) and the YWCA Young Mothers Program, and has been a panelist at the Women's foundation of Genesee Valley voices of experience. Elizabeth was recognized as March of Dimes Mother of the year 2003, and nominated for the Maria Arias Woman's Award.

As a friend, Eli is there with her time and support. And I mean really there. When one of her employees fell in hard times and went into full disability after a hospital error, Elizabeth came through for her and her family, and they have remain best friends for life. She is loved and appreciated for the people who know her.

With all this, Elizabeth still found time to run a household the Latina way, not with just fast food, but cooking whole meals for her family, participating in her children activities, and supporting her husband.

Elizabeth is an example of perseverance and achievement. She is the embodiment of our daughters, mothers, sisters, fitting the image of the Latina woman of this times. She likes herself, she is fun, she fully embraces whatever she does, and she is proud of her heritage. I can honestly say that our community is better because she is part of it.

Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you Elizabeth Ortiz, Career Achievement Award 2006."