Congratulations to the following Comadres
on their accomplishments!

Crescencia Alvarado (TX) – This 28 of August was the beginning of an Advocacy National Day to recognize and advance the profession of a Community Health Worker CHW’s something that I was part of this movement since 1997 and work to organize and advocate for the certification of our CHW’s so that Texas become the first state in the nation to recognize by providing the certification for the CHW’s or Promotoras de Salud. Now as a Nacional movement NACHW.

Nohra Bernal (CT) – She received an Honorary Mention at the International Latino Book Awards for ALMA SEMILLA, a children’s picture book about resilience, immigration, friendship, girl empowerment, and reforestation.

Norma E. Cantu (TX) – Published a new book, Chicana Portraits: Critical Biographies of Twelve Chicana Writers.

Gloria Chin (NY) – She was Deputy communications director to Mayor Eric Adams and has recently started as Chief of Staff at the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.

Jeannie Diaz (NY) – Completed her Yin Yoga training and was awarded her certification in August.

Nylda Dieppa (FL) – She is proud to share that the Hispanic Heritage Network of Orange County has selectd her book, Alborada (Dawn), A Cross-Cultural Memoir in Poetry, for the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Book Exhibit! The Art Exhibit at the Orange County Administration Center, 201 S. Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor, Orlando, FL 32801 will run from October 2 through October 31 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you are in the Orlando area, make sure to check the exhibit out.

Dr. Charley Ferrer (FL) – Her play, Breast Cancer Diaries, is being performed live on stage at Stage West Playhouse. I originally wrote the play in 2019 and it was performed in NYC to sold out crowds. The play is now being performed in Spring Hill Florida. On August 13, we finished casting the play and began rehearsals on August 15. Breast Cancer Diaries will be performed live on October 7 & 8. On top of that great news, a representative from Susan G. Komen requested I submit the play for a performance in Wisconsin they’d like to do. I’m so thrilled. About the play: Breast Cancer Diaries is a compilation of stories about women and men diagnosed with breast cancer, sharing a little bit of drama and a whole lot of comedy and inspiration giving voice to the thoughts, dreams, struggles, and triumphs faced by both women and men diagnosed with breast cancer.

Abigail Golden-Vazquez (NY) – She was added to the Executive Committee of the Board for the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, which holds the foremost collection of diplomatic oral histories, and had the opportunity to interview the honorable Julianne Smith, US Ambassador to NATO, on NATO meeting this historic in the wake of the war in Ukraine. Abigail also joined the board of her Quaker High School, Oakwood. She is honored to have the opportunity to give back to an organization that has given her so much. 

Estela González (VT) – Her novel ARRIBADA (Cynren Press, 2022) won the 2023 Triangle Publishing award for debut novel! The paperback version is now available at Cynren Press and on Amazon.

Lila Guzman (TX) – This year marks the 20th anniversary of Lorenzo’s Revolutionary Quest, a young adult novel about the first cattle drive in U.S. History.  In 1777, Longhorns left San Antonio to feed General Galvez’s troops in Louisiana. The Lorenzo series (Arte Publico Press) tells the story of the Spanish in the American Revolution.

Patricia Livas (TX) – Was accepted into the DBA ( Doctorate of Business Administration) Program at the University of the Incarnate Word beginning this Fall.

Fabiana Meléndez Ruiz & Ashley Alaniz-Moyer (TX) – Comadres Fabiana and Ashley launched a new public relations agency, Refuerzo Collaborative, on August 15, 2023! Refuerzo (reh-fwehr-soh), which means reinforcement in Spanish, is a Latina-owned communications agency creating holistic, multicultural, and dynamic strategies so clients can find their truth, increase their impact, and sustain brand growth. We deeply believe that marketing and communications are essential for business, reinforcing the work many leaders and their organizations do through storytelling.

Gina Nunez-Mchiri (CA) – On August 4th, Gina completed her first year as Dean at San Diego State University-Imperial Valley. She is the first Chicana/Latina dean in the University’s 125 years history.

Margarita Perez (CA) – She was promoted to the Job Development Unit with Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services.

Mireya Perez (NY) – Three of her poems were accepted for publication in Voices, journal of Lp2 GC-CUNY program for their Fall issue.

Mirta Rinaldi (NY) – Mirta has been excited about a recent book collaboration with the League of Kitchens. Published next year, this will be a compilation showcasing Mirta’s recipes, along with 13 other LOK talented, immigrant chefs. Mirta also has been steadily hosting Mate Ceremonies & breaking bread & barriers with new friends from across the boroughs & globe. She encourages you to check out a workshop in the months ahead. Check IG @Mendulcina for updates!

Enid Rodriguez (NY) – After 24-years  , Enid retired  but is still working in Early Childhood 2 days per week!

Darlene Tenes (CA) – Her Farmworker Caravan held its first Campesinas en Paz Retreat for female farmworkers on Sunday, July 30th at the Saint Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista.

Theresa Varela (NY) – She is proud to announce that she started a weekly astrology podcast with a peer astrologer, Shayla M. Rose, another Latina! It is called Sabor Astrology with T and Shay. It can be seen on Youtube and Spotify! Come listen, like, share, and subscribe! https://youtu.be/1pOvXnUy0R8?si=h0azWWv12ZxG2nRa

Elise Wiarco (NV) – Celebrated her 5-Year Work Anniversary with Southwest Gas on August 20th.

This Accomplishments List is published monthly and distributed to all Comadres.  

To share your accomplishments for next month, register here:      https://forms.gle/2UCRAKr5u4J83mSz9

To read last month’s Comadres Accomplishments, visit us here:   https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2023/07/las-comadres-celebrates-its-members_31.html

NOTE:  these listings are for congratulatory purposes only. We are not endorsing any products, services, or candidates for public office.  

Congratulations to all our Comadres!

Maria C. Ferrer
Executive Director
Las Comadres Para Las Americas