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 Nitza Nater, showcasing her work in the exhibition Portrait: Our Town and Our People at the High Falls Art Gallery. Opening reception is December 7 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, and will run until January 4, 2009. Read more info at the ConXion blog.

November

To Jasmine S. Huertas , leaving on November 9 to serve our country with the Air Force Service. Jasmine is the graphic designer who created the invitations and program the 15th Annual Reconocimiento Awards, and daughter of Peggy Martinez.

October

To Daisy Rivera Algarin, recipient of the Circulo Latino Community Leadership Award 2008 during the Commencement Celebration for the LLDP class of 2008.

To the graduates of the LLDP Class of 2008: Marina Alvarez, Jeanette Colby, Shannon Colon, Liliana Crane, Ineabelle Geena Cruz, Sady Fischer, Amy Flanagan, Daisy Hernandez-King, Janet Koslow, Luz Flores Lee, Rosemary Ortiz, Magalis Perdomo, Kristine Santillo and Lysmaris Serrano.

To Nitza Nater, artist and graphic designer exhibiting her paintings at the Alchemy Art Show, organized by the local interdisciplianry collective Rough Block Arts Group.

To Peggy Martinez, exhibing her paintings during the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at the Rochester City Hall. Peggy Martinez is the Chair of the 2008 Reconocimiento Awards.

To Daisy Rivera Algarin, recipient of the "Alicia Torres Award" from during the anniversary gala of the Ibero-American Action League for her commitment to the Hispanic community. Daisy is a marketing specialist with the Economic Development Department of the City of Rochester. Daisy is also the Chair of Latinas Unidas and is part of the original women who founded the Latinas Unidas organization 15 years ago.

To Grace Tillinghast, selected as "Volunteer of the Year" by the Ibero-American Action League for her work organizing their Hispanic scholarship program, which this year collected over $250,000.00 for applicant students. Grace is the owner of The Battery, an indoor batting cages and training facility, and Board Member of the Rochester Hispanic Business Association.

To M. Celest Amaral (Volunteer Service), Gladys Pedraza-Burgos (Career Achievement), Nydia Padilla-Rodriguez (Leadership Service) and Angie Rivera (Youth Latina Leadership), recipients of the 2008 Reconocimiento Awards.

To the recipients of the Rochester City School District's 2008 Hispanic Heritage Award: Ivette Torres (Community Service Award), Yeira Rodriguez (Volunteer Youth Award), Ashley M. Rivera (Academic Achievement Award) and Priscilla Sepulveda (Roberto Clemente Student Award). This award is sponsored by the RCSD in celebration of the Hispanic Heritage Month. Check our Calendar for more details about the awards ceremony this month.

 

September

To Gladys Pedraza Burgos, named new Chief for Youth Development and Family Services of the Rochester City School District. "The appointment is a wonderful opportunity for me to broaden my impact on the lives and education of our underserved elementary and secondary students.  I’ll look forward to collaborating with you all in a different capacity. " said Gladys of her new post. She is currently the Director of Educational, Curricular & Diversity Affairs, and Co-Director of the Center for Advocacy, Community Health, Education and Diversity (CACHED) at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry.

To Luz M. Cruz featured in her magazine as one of the "5 women to watch". Luz is an associate professor at the State University College Professor at The College at Brockport, and she also has a teacher certification in the department of physical education and sport, State University of New York.

 

August

To Hilda Rosario Escher, on the special article featured in the Rochester Business Journal entitled: "Making a Big Impact: As CEO of Ibero-American Action League, Hilda Rosario Escher helps empower Latinos". Click here to read the article(PDF).

To Ana Fermin, featured in ConXion for her work on founding local group to unite Dominicans in Rochester. Ana is currently a Public Relations Specialist at MarketHold Productions.

To Ela Nuñez, wining the International Women's Boxing Federation (IWBF) junior featherweight belt by unanimous decision, defeating Dominga Olivo, of the Bronx. Ela, a single mother of four, moved to Rochester four months ago from Jamestown to work, raise her family and train. Click here to read the story in ConXion.

 

July

To Iveth Reynolds, interviewed in the article "Penfield's Iveth Reynolds owns own staffing firm" for the Democrat and Chronicle, Sunday Business section. The article describes the challenges and how Iveth got started in her business, mentors and current activities. Iveth holds the Secretary position in the Latinas Unidas Board of Directors. The article

To Kelly Tovar Mullaney, for the highlight of her presentation to the Rochester Women's Network on the Democrat and Chronicle Sunday business section. The presentation, entitled "Top Techniques to Promote Your Business Online" gave small business owners strategies they can apply to increase their visibility on the internet. Kelly holds the position of Website Chair in the Latinas Unidas Board of Directors.

To Iveth Reynolds, featured in ConXion in an interview titled "Entrepreneur says new group will help Latinos advance", in conection with the recent kickoff event of the NSHMBA at Casa Hispana. The same article is also being featured in the women's magazine her Rochester. Last April, Iveth was appointed as V.P. of Rochester Membership by the board of the New York National Society of Hispanic MBA’s (NSHMBA). Iveth acts as Secretary on the Latinas Unidas Board of Directors.

 

To Mary Marrero, featured in the article "Latina goes from engineer to pastry chef" in ConXion. Mary is the owner of M&M Great Cakes located in 32 Main St. in Webster.

 

To Wanda Pérez-Díaz, featured in the article "Puerto Rico native beats odds with school success" in ConXion. Wanda was the recipient of the Young Latina Leader at the 2007 Reconocimento Awards.

 

To Zory Brown, for the opening of her new restaurant El Pilon Criollo in North Clinton Avenue, especializing in Puerto Rican food. Zory has participated as a vendor in the Puerto Rican Festival for several years and has now established a place of her own where we can enjoy her culinary creations all year round. Zory is also Christina Brown's Mom (read below in June)

 

June

To Miriam Estela Jurado, featured in her magazine as one of the "5 women to watch". Miriam is a Senior Staff Engineer of CIMS at RIT and a 2007 graduate of United Way's Latino Leadership Development Program.

 

To Christina Brown, graduating from the YEA! (Young Entrepreneurs Academy) program from University of Rochester. Cristina was the recipient of this year's Latinas Unidas Youth Leadership Scholarship to participate in this program.

 

May

To Dr. Luz Cruz, EdD, recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence by the State University of New York system. In 2002 Luz was awarded the Latinas Unidas Reconocimiento Award in Leadership Service. A member of The College at Brockport faculty since 1997, Luz is regarded by peers and students as an exceptional teacher and mentor. Her areas of expertise include teacher education, curriculum development and elementary physical education.

 

April

To Iveth Reynolds, interviewed in the April/May issue of Diversity Woman magazine of 2008, for the article "Don't Go It Alone: Create a Mentoring Culture". Iveth is member of the board of Latinas Unidas and CEO of Tri-Mar Consulting, Inc..

To Iveth Reynolds, appointed as V.P. of Rochester Membership by the board of the New York National Society of Hispanic MBA’s (NSHMBA). In this new board position, Iveth will be responsible for coordinating NSHMBA sponsor interest, events, university affiliations, and public awareness of the NSHMBA mission in the upstate and western New York region.

 

To Jackie Ortiz, recently appointed as member of Ibero-American Action League board of directors and featured in the April issue of ConXion in the column In Good Company. Jackie Ortiz is an Insurance and Financial services agent for State Farm.

 

February

To Talia González and Sofía Webb selected for the 2007-2008 Democrat and Chronicle Teen Council. Teen Council members advise the Editorial Board and write occasional columns.
Talia is a Junior at Greece Arcadia High School and Sofia is a softmore at Our Lady of Mercy High School in Webster.

 

To Elizabeth Ortiz, selected as one of the alumni featured in the latest Medaille College TV campaign. In the segment, Eli describes her experience as a participant of the college's Accelerated Learning Program Business Degree.
You can watch the segment here.

 

To Vilma Burgos Torres is featured in the front page story of ConXion. The article, titled "Escaping the No. 1 Killer", tells the story of how a few years back, at only 50 years of age, Vilma had a heart attach. Vilma now crusades to warn others of heart disease in women. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading killer of Latinos, claiming more than 122,000 lives per year.
Read the article published by ConXion.

 

January

To Evelyn Santos, for the opening of her new store "Caribbean Fashions", featuring Guayabera shirts for men, women and children. Evelyn's new store is located at the 55 Station building, in Railroad street off Main Street, near the Public Market. Previous to opening her store, Evelyn was one of our gracious hostesses during some of the Latinas Unidas Winter Networking events while she worked with Frontier.

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Archives:

Read about more Stars Among Us during 2007

Read about more Stars Among Us during 2006

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