NEWSLETTER OCT. 2008
From President Ada N. Lopez As the summer comes to an end, most NACOPRW chapters are getting ready to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and recognize the contributions that Latinos have made to the United States. This observation started in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period between September 15- October 15. Although many NACOPRW chapters plan cultural activities during the year, this date is a time to expand our work and share with others under the Latino umbrella. The unity that emerges from our celebrations can be then used to push for health care reform, quality public education, employment and other initiatives that can improve the living conditions for Hispanics facing poverty in the US and in Puerto Rico.
NACOPRW 2009 convention Change Within Reach: a Latina Perspective to be held in Chicago at the Seneca Hotel and Suites
November 13-15 will be the days when NACOPRW members will congregate in Chicago at 200 E Chestnut, Chicago, Illinois 60611 to celebrate the traditional yearly review of progress for Puerto Rican and other Latina women. This year we have the incredible bonanza which is the role model of a new Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, to enhance the image of Puerto Rican women everywhere and to radiate hope for young Latinas and to urge them on in life to achieve the highest rungs of career opportunities and triumphs. For hotel reservations, please contact 800-800-6261 or http://www.senecahotel.com. By October 13, 2009. For other information on the conference please contact Carmen Bonilla, First Vice President and Convention Chair, at c.bonilla@cbhearthside.co
In the foto: Dora Strope, Sonia Sotomayor and Carmen Delgado Votaw
Sonia Sotomayor Sworn-In as Supreme Court Justice On a vote of 68-31 (Senator Kennedy the only non-voting Senator because of illness), the U.S. Senate voted for confirmation of Judge Sotomayor as the 111th Justice of the Supreme Court of the U.S. She was promptly sworn in by Chief Justice Roberts on Saturday, August 8, 2009.
MIAMI In Miami we are working as a team to implement a recruitment strategy. According to Chapter President Lucy Del Valle, “ There is much excitement because we see that once an individual comes to an event they can't believe the richness and camaraderie they find. We are also developing a program whereby members are encouraged to seek professional development opportunities and develop their own skills by making engaging presentations that generate a professional culture. Ana G. Mendez University System Director, Syndia Nazario Cardona has been working with the Miami Chapter and the plan is scheduled to be rolled out within the next 6 months. Chicago: Under the leadership of President Deborah Lopez, Chicago has taken the lead to develop a strategy to re-brand NACOPRW. This initiative was approved by the Board of Directors to communicate the core values of the organization. The strategy includes the design and launching of a website. While the first phase has been completed, Deborah’s goal is to “develop the website further and engage the visitor in experiencing the spirit of advocacy which captured the imagination of those Puerto Rican Women who founded NACOPRW in 1972. With the support of Yeni Cardona and chapter first vice president Evelyn Figueroa, the website design will now enter a second phase. Other chapter members are planning to personally contact the 100 individuals who attended the Chicago NACOPRW activity earlier this year when we recognized Judge Leida Santiago. The NACOPRW sisterhood is proud to revel in the outstanding success and history of the Justice that has more relevant experience and top qualifications that has come up for confirmation in the last 100 years. That IS making history… Her compelling personal saga of overcoming obstacles to obtain the highest academic qualifications at Princeton and Yale and the brilliant performance as a New York Assistant District Attorney and as an Appeals Judge for the Second Southern District of New York, have made her an endearing icon to all Latinos. In hailing her confirmation, Ada N. Lopez, NACOPRW’s President, said “As Puerto Rican women we know her life story is understood by those who value family, education and strive for excellence….It is the story that begins as a humble Puerto Rican tale and finds full expression as an American story…It will serve to inspire future generations and sends a powerful message that in spite of many obstacles faced by our people it is possible to achieve greatness.” Sonia, the NACOPRW sisterhood is mighty proud….your triumph is ours.
The 2010 Census Senator Robert Menendez addressed all Latinos urging them to support the Census and ignore “the ill-conceived calls for Latinos to boycott” the Census. “If we heed the misguided call of activists to boycott, he said, we will ensure that our children and grandchildren, despite becoming one of the largest ethnic groups in this country, will continue to be underrepresented at the decision making table.” If significant numbers of Latinos are not counted, we stand to lose the resources we need. Let’s take Senator Menendez’ call to heart: “let us not lose our seat at the table—let’s use it.” The Hispanosphere Blog says that more Puerto Ricans live in the United States than in Puerto Rico. Citing the Pew Hispanic Center recent published analysis, it said that a majority of the 4.1 M Puerto Ricans, a majority were born outside the island. Other highlights of the fact sheet indicate that Puerto Ricans:
National and Chapter News Philadelphia Chapter A recent honoree as Woman of the Month was Dona Tomasita Romero who left her imprint on the classroom, on the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and the local Town Watch coordinating neighborhood vigils. Her advocacy and volunteering have left an indelible mark on the community’s progress. Carmen T. Bonilla was elected President of PA Tri State Nation Association of Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). Magna Diaz is the first Bilingual School Librarian at Edison High School. De Aquí y De Allá The recent passing of another Puerto Rican trail blazer, Senator Olga Mendez, occurred in New York in July. The funeral was held on August 3, 2009 at the Church of the Holy Agony in New York City where her 26 years of service in the NY State Senate were honored. .We will miss your leadership, Olga. The 2009 Presidential Medal of Honor Recipients include our own Chita Rivera, actress, dancer and performer, who for years has brought great pride to the Puerto Rican community with her accomplishments in the theater and the screen. Her incomparable performance in Kiss of the Spider Woman and her recognition in the artistic world are now capped with the highest recognition the U.S. Government can bestow. We are proud, Chita. Other Puerto Ricans who have merited the Presidential Medal of Freedom are: Luis Munoz Marin in 1965, Roberto Clemente in 1973, Don Luis Ferre 1991, Sor Isolina Ferre, 1999, Helen Rodriguez Trias, 2001, Rita Moreno 2004 besides Antonia Pantoja mentioned in another article in this newsletter. Jeans Cruz Film A young Puerto Rican Iraqui war veteran who was on the team that captured Saddam Hussein is going to be the subject of a film about his grit to survive the emotional pain of his war experiences and his post-traumatic stress disorder. He is a hero from the Bronx and I Will Productions and Filmsters are developing the project. There is a trailer for the film which can be seen on http://www.vimeo.com/2501531. Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009 This is the 68th time that the House of Representatives has debated a bill about Puerto Rico’s status and Puerto Ricans have voted to maintain the island’s current status in nonbinding referendums held in 1967, 1993 and 1997 and 1998. NACOPRW Supports Passage of The National W omen’s History Museum Act, H.R 1700 In part, the letter reads: “The National Women’s History Museum Act is long overdue. Women comprise 51% of our nation’s population, yet there is no National Museum in our capital to honor women’s achievements and contributions to building this nation. Remember that women comprise over half the nation’s population and are the mothers of the rest.” Let’s hope that Congress takes this golden opportunity to recognize women’s successes, build on their accomplishments and empower future generations by passing the Act speedily. The National Museum of the American Latino has received recognition as a 501C3 organization and is ready to mount a fund raising campaign to ensure its progress and possibilities for the future.
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