LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS — MAY 2023
Work hard in silence. Let Your Success be your noise.
Congratulations to all! We have some anniversaries, retirements, awards, new positions, new books, appearances, exhibitions, etc.
Andrea Arroyo (NY) – She is thrilled to share that “Goddesses at the Palace,” a large-scale, site-specific art installation will be on view at the Historic United Palace in Manhattan, the project is presented as part of her Creatives Rebuild New York AEP Fellowship. Unveiling June 29, on view through July 10, 2023. Free and open to the public. More info: https://bit.ly/GoddessesAtThePalaceEB
Idamarie Collazo (IN) – After an intensive year, she finally graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis with her Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health and Addictions! She is proud to be among the 8% of Latinas who earn a master’s degree. More recently, she accepted a full-time position as an outpatient therapist. As a Latina (Mexican & Puerto Rican) single mom, the road has been met with a great deal of challenges and blessings. “I am my ancestors wildest dreams!”
Lynette Correa-Velez (IL) – Lynette and her husband celebrated 10 years together and 8 years married this past 5/15/2023.
Nylda Dieppa (FL) – Nylda’s second, enhanced edition of her award-winning book “Alborada: A Poetic Memoir Across Cultures” was published on May 3, 2023. With the new title “Alborada (Dawn): A Cross-Cultural Memoir in Poetry, it includes fourteen new poems to inspire the joys of spiritual and emotional healing. It has been received with wonderful reviews and is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through Ingram Sparks. More info is available at www.nyldadieppa.com.
Sonia Diaz (CA) – Sonia is happy to report that on May 15, 2023, she began consulting work!
Brianna Dimas (TX) – Brianna was recently accepted into the competitive New Bridge Program fellowship which takes 10 cohort members each year to Berlin and Brussels. This program is focused on economic development and transatlantic relations.
Anika Fajardo (MN) – Anika be in conversation with Erika Sanchez with Hennepin County Library’s Talk of the Stacks author program July 12 at 6:30p (Central). The event is virtual, free: https://www.supporthclib.org/erika-sanchez
Vanessa Chica Ferreira (NY) – Vanessa co-wrote a poetic play titled “Live Big Girl: A Chair That Fits” where Fat is deconstructed and reimagined. It speaks on how larger bodies navigate the world. We are currently in the preparation process and will soon to debut at Lehman College in The Bronx on October 14 and 15 of 2023. Support! Info to come at https://livebiggirl.wixsite.com/livebiggirl
Grace Flores-Hughes (VA) – Her latest book, The Opaque Conspiracy, launched on May 30th. Copies of the book are available through Amazon.com.
Dra. Lizabeth Garza-Garcia (TX) – Liz is the new Director of Secondary Emergent Bilinguals for Fort Worth ISD.
Karen Gonzales (CO) – Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Authors was honored to host a Meet & Greet with Author Reyna Grande on May 27th at the Denver Woman’s Press Club. Author Juana Bordas member of both offered the space. Reyna was keynote speaker at Writing Heights Writers Conference in Fort Collins, CO and accepted the invitation to meet with our Denver community too. Reyna was interviewed about her book A Ballad of Love and Glory by Paul Lane, host of KUHS Weekend Boost internet streaming radio show. View pic at: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=719854753477255&set=pcb.719854896810574
Liz González (CA) – Liz’ creative nonfiction and poetry were featured in Hispanic Theological Initiative’s Open Plaza. See it here: https://www.htiopenplaza.org/content/ode-to-olg-san-bernardino
Patty Gonzales (TX) – Patty is celebrating her retirement as a Bilingual Teacher on May 26. After 25 years that went by fast, she’s excited about her new journey.
Paulina Rael Jaramillo (CA) – Her book, Life Resumed, won the finalist award in the Reader’s Favorite Book Award international contest.
Elvira Ledezma (IL) – Elvira graduated from DePaul University with a Master’s in ECE and a bilingual endorsement!
Laura Lopez Cano (TX) – Laura was honored and grateful for being named a Woman of Distinction by TAMACC (Texas Association of Mexican American Chamber of Commerce). Presentation will occur on June 16 in Austin.
Raquel “Rachel” Moran Nevarez (TX) – Rachel was named STCC Chairman of Paralegal Advisory Board 2023.
Claudia Nascimento (FL) – Claudia has obtained Life & Annuities license and is officially a Licensed Financial Consultant!
Venus V. Pineyro de Hoyos (TX) – Venus was also named a Woman of Distinction by TAMACC (Texas Association of Mexican American Chamber of Commerce). Presentation will occur on June 16 in Austin.
Elsa Prado (IL) – On May 22, 2023, Elsa received a Community Service Award at Horizon Science Academy. It was presented at the First Responder’s & Community Members Breakfast.
LeAnne Salazar Montoya, PhD (NM) – LeAnne was the 2023 Keynote speaker for the 30th anniversary Hispanic Educators Association of Nevada (HEAN) Class of ‘23 Baccalaureate for the cities more than 2k Hispanic/Latino graduates in Clark County (5th Largest school district in the nation). Check out the program here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_I3keRVUavvde5vM2Up23wl-PCTVmY4J/view
Barbara Salcido (VA) – Retired January 2023 after 30 years and 10 months of Federal service.
Esmeralda Santiago (NY) – In May, Esmeralda finished recording the English version audiobook for her next novel, LAS MADRES. She’s filled with admiration for audio artists who do this professionally. It’s harder work than it seems, and it’s satisfying, at the end of hours of talking into a mic, to utter the last sentence and leave the dark sound booth into the light. Later this month, she’ll be narrating the Spanish version so that both languages of the novel will be available, author-read, when the book launches, August 8. (NOTE: Esmeralda’s book, LAS MADRES, will be an October Book of the Month for Las Comadres & Friends Book Club.)
Aileen Roberta Schlef (DC) – Her water colors were featured in the June 9-10 waterfront Art Show: Art of the Ages in Washington DC.
Marisa Schor (GA) – Got a new job as a Clinical Dietitian in Wellstar – Kennestone hospital. Started May 8, 2023!
Vicky H. Sepulveda (TX) – Vicky has completed her Google Digital Marketing and E-commerce Certificate; six-years Grow with Google Digital Coach.
Ada Vilageliu Diaz (DC) – Ada is happy to share that she just became president of College English Association Middle-Atlantic Group (CEAMAG).
Becky Villareal (TX) – Becky is happy to report that her books, Gianna the Great, Hallito Gianna, and Gianna the Treasure Hunter are being relaunched by Anaiah Press.
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NOTE: these listings are for congratulatory purposes only. We are not endorsing any products, services, or candidates for public office.
To read last month’s Comadres Accomplishments, visit us here: https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2023/05/las-comadres-celebrates-its-members.html
Congratulations to our Comadres!
Maria & Nora
Maria C. Ferrer, Executive Director
Dr. Nora de Hoyos Comstock, National/International Founder