Stars Among Us

We celebrate and highlight the achievements of our members and the Latina women in our community. Our pride on their success does not constitute an official endorsement as the Latinas Unidas organization has no political affiliations.

Congratulations! ¡Felicitaciones!

December

To Damaris Rivera, for the opening of her pet boutique "Pinky's Pet Connection" on the weekend of December 9. The new store, located at the newly renovated 55 Station building, near the Public Market, specializes in pet clothes, pet accessories and baked goods for dogs, and offers a pet sitting service as well. Damaris, a member of Latinas Unidas, is also an accomplished Jazz and R&B singer.

Damaris Rivera was also featured in the "Up Close" section of the Sunday Business section of the Democrat and Chronicle.

 

November

To Berlín Bermudez, Yvette Ciurca, Celmira Cubillos, Felicia García, Maricela Guzmán, Jessica Guzmán, Miriam Jurado, Gloria Matos, Ana Medina, Maritza Mejias, Mildred Melendez, Kelly Tovar Mullaney, Sonia Nuñez, Nélida Quiñones, Johanna Santiago, Elaine Sepúlveda, Jennifer Simmons, Gloria Torres, Tabita Torres-Rodríguez, Jeannette Valle and Nélida Vega, graduates of the United Way Latino Leadership Development Program class of 2007.

To Melisza Campos, elected as member of the Rochester City School Board. Melisza is the youngest person to run for this post. She is currently the General Manager of the Dale Carnegie Rochester office.

To Hilda Rosario Escher, for her nomination to the 22nd Annual ATHENA Award. Hilda is President and Chief Executive Officer of Ibero American Action League.

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October

To all the nominees for the Reconocimiento Awards, awesome Latinas working to make a difference in our community:

• Migdalia Concepción - Sr. Mortgage Consultant, M&T Bank
• Ana Cruz - Assessment Counselor, Career Systems Development Corporation
• Martha Gómez - President/Owner, OSO Inc.
• Erika Inéz Greene - Law Major, St. John Fisher College
• María M. Herrero-Jaarsma - Law Clerk, United States District Court
• Annette Jimenez - Editor, El Mensajero
• Minerva Padilla - Marketing Outreach Coordinator, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
• Nydia Padilla-Rodríguez - CEO and Founder of Borinquen Dance Theatre and Director of Community Partnerships, Rochester City School District
• Rosario Rangel - Supervisor, Oak Orchard Community Center
• Ariadna Rodríguez - Director, Communications and Masterbranding-Bausch & Lomb
• Dr. Miriam Vázquez -  Founding Member and Principal of Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School

To Jessica Guzmán , featured in herRochester magazine as one of the "Women to watch". Jessica is a counselor at the Office of Minority Student Affairs at the University of Rochester and a soon to be graduate from the United Way Latino Leadership Development Program (LLDP).

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August

To Gladys Noriega, for the opening of her new store Peruvian Style in Pittsford, NY. She especializes in South American goods, high quality Alpaca Wool and 100% Pima Cotton products, including handbags, CDs, ceramics, artwork, jewelry, musical instruments, etc.

To Myrdna L. Vargas, featured in herRochester magazine as one of the "5 women to watch". Myrdna is a Chemical Process Engineer, Digital Printing Solutions (Materials Manufacturing) for Kodak.

To Maria Darby, featured in herRochester magazine as one of the "5 women to watch". Maria is the owner and teacher of San Lorenzo Montessori Academy.

To Grace Tillinghast, recipient of a Certificate of Mayoral Recognition from Mayor Robert Duffy for her years of commitment, dedication and support of the Rochester Police Department's Do the Right Thing and her work in the community. Grace received the 2002 Latinas Unidas Reconocimiento Awards for Career Achievement.

Grace Tillinghast was recently honored by the Genesee Valley Audubon Society by naming one of the four 2007 falcon chicks after her. As Kodak's manager of Community Affairs, Grace was responsible for placing a wooden box on top of Kodak's tower in 1995.

Grace Tillinghast has also been appointment to the Board of Directors of the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester for a three-year term and she chairs the 2007 Arts Awards.

To Zory Martinez-Allocco, for her new post as Annual Fund Director of YMCA of Greater Rochester.

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July

To Iveth Reynolds, who recently joined the Board of the Learning Disabilities Association of the Genesee Valley (LDA). Iveth was also accepted for the 2007 research forum Accelerating the Growth of Businesses Owned by Women of Color. Iveth is the CEO of the Rochester firm Tri-Mar Consulting & Staffing and serves in the Latinas Unidas Steering Committee as Secretary.

To Enid Arbelo, named new Editor for ConXion.

 

June

To Nydia Padilla-Rodríguez. Her program's work with Borinquen Dance Theatre has been chosen for recognition as a 2007 Coming Up Taller semifinalist with a Certificate of Excellence by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Nydia's program was selected out of 350 nominations received nationwide for the successful work accomplished in youth after-school and out-of-school arts and humanity learning. It will be listed in this year's Coming Up Taller awards national publication.

To Ivette Torres, featured in the latest herRochester magazine as one of the "5 women to watch". Ivette works in the Public Affairs department of RGE.

To Debora McDell, featured as the "cover girl" in the latest herRochester magazine. Debora is the Coordinator of Community Programs and Outreach of the Memorial Art Gallery.

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May

To Yamalis Hernández, featured in the latest herRochester magazine as one of the "5 women to watch". Yamalis is the Senior Resource Development Associate with the Latino Leadership Development Program and Young Leaders Club at United Way of Greater Rochester.

 

April

To Jane Pantoja, featured in the People column from the Suday Business section of the D&C. Jane is the owner of Jane's Fashion and Bridal. Every year she sponsors a "Quinceañera fashion show" during the ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally, also donating a gown for a 13-15 year old girl attending the rally for her own Quinceañera celebration.

To Kelly Tovar Mullaney, featured in the D&C along with other exhibitors from the Rochester SOHO Expo in the article "In the Pursuit of Success". Kelly was also featured in the People column from the Suday Business section of the D&C. Kelly is the president of Working Art Media, an online business solutions company, and the Website Chair of Latinas Unidas.

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March

To Melisza Campos, announcing her candidacy for school board commissioner of the Rochester City School Board. Melisza is the youngest person to run for this post. She is currently the General Manager of the Dale Carnegie Rochester office.

To María Canto, featured on a Democrat and Chronicle piece written by Daisy Rivera Algarin in celebration of March Women's Month. María is one of a valuable group of Latina women who without pretense, you can find in our community volunteering to make a difference. She shares her time between her family, service with the Armed Forces, and volunteering helping Latina girls, including her work with the ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! Rally. Click here to read the article.

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January

To Nydia Padilla-Rodríguez, nominee of the 2007 "W" Award of the Rochester Women's Network. Nydia is the founder and director of Borinquen Dance Theatre. Through Borinquen Dance Theater, Nydia works with at-risk girls and young women, providing an opportunity to develop their self-esteem and self-confidence, and at the same time channeling their talents through the arts.

 

Read about more Stars Among Us during 2006

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