El Poder de Ser Mujer (The Power of Being a Woman) and the Multicultural Family and Education Center selected Leni Gonzalez to receive this year’s Distinguished Latina Women Life Achievement Award.
The Leadership Conference for Latina Women recognize these leaders and inspiring women dedicated to helping Latinas achieve their maximum potential.
According to the organizers Gonzalez has truly dedicated her life to helping advance Latinos and women in their quest for a better life for themselves and their families.
«Not only has Leni been a staunch advocate for immigrants, she has rolled up her sleeves and served them for decades: From educating and helping them know their rights, to moving policy through even the toughest legislative and Executive hurdles, to just lending a shoulder and welcoming or helping hand, Leni has taken a personal stake in the success of the community and individuals.» they recognized.
“Leni is an example of the incredible difference that one committed individual can make and an example of the power of a woman leading her family, friends and community to make lasting contributions.» they added.
El Poder de Ser Mujer and the Multicultural Family and Education Center also identified the Office of Family and School Partnerships, Fairfax County Public Schools as recipient of the Community Services Excellence Award. This well-deserved recognition is for the many contributions of the office and the parent liaisons that empower Latino families and students to excel.
Madeline La Salle was selected to receive the Education Excellence Award. La Salle, LCSW, is a native of Puerto Rico who came to the U.S. at the age of 11 and was faced with the task of learning English and navigating a new culture without many supports. It was these challenges in her journey which created a sense of urgency and led her to become an advocate for Latino issues and an ardent supporter of equitable education for all children. In 2004 Madeline became the Founder and Executive Director of Latinas Leading Tomorrow (LLT), a youth serving non-profit with the mission of providing Latinas opportunities to thrive and gain access to a post-secondary education. LLT completes its mission through mentoring and leadership skills training. It began as a local Arlington, VA program, but has now expanded into a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Teresa Echevarria cofounder of Morenada Central VA, will be the recipient of the Cultural Excellence award. Ms. Reyes, with more than ten years promoting Bolivian culture, has been instrumental in giving an opportunity for native Bolivians to maintain cultural ties with their homeland as well as instilling many of those traditions in the younger generation as they grow up here in the United States. The group welcomed Bolivians and the general public to become part of their family. The group is open to people of all backgrounds and ages. The group aims to display and promote their traditions and culture through traditional dances of Bolivia and represent and preserve our Latino culture in the United States. The Morenada is a style of dance originating from the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes.
The Multicultural Family and Education Center and El Poder de Ser Mujer is an initiative that seeks to empower Latina women in the Washington, D.C., area by motivating them to develop their full potential and talent. We do this through educational programs that include workshops and forums. The culmination of this forum will take place Saturday, October 25th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at a one day conference focused on empowerment and leadership. Conference participants will receive professional development in career, leadership, and health.
The conference will be held at:
Comfort Inn Hotel
6560 Loisdale Court.
Springfield Virginia.
Online tickets can be purchase at www.ticketmass.com
or at the door at the day of event .
For more information. 703 8676529
