LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS' ACCOMPLISHMENTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE & BOOK NEWS -- APRIL

 

Join us in celebrating our Comadres Accomplishments, Community Service and Book News. 

 We are proud our Comadres are Leading the Way!

 

NOTE:   This list is for promotional purposes only and not intended as an endorsement of any kind.

  

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY SERVICE  

 

Andrea Arroyo (New York, NY) -- Two of her artworks are featured in the book “No Te Olvides”, presented with an exhibition in Barcelona, Spain.

 Judithh Canades, PhD (Eagle Pass, TX) -- Honored to address the Southwest Texas College (SWTX) Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Spring Induction Ceremony in March in Eagle Pass, Texas where 30 students were inducted into the PTK Beta Lambda Gamma Chapter. As an alumna of Southwest Texas College and a Phi Theta Kappa member, she was pleased to share her experiences as a student who began at SWTX and continued to pursue my education and career in government, nonprofit management, and public service in Texas and Washington, D.C.

 Lynette Correa-Velez (Chicago, IL) – She was accepted into the MYB Fractional Support Program-Spring 2026 Cohort to assist her in scaling her GenAI tech start-up, Pagame Project, based in Chicago, IL. Latina Mompreneurs unite! For more info, go here: https://mybfractional.com/

 Nereida Claudio (Woodstock, GA) – Launched her shop, Spanish Abuela. You can follow her and shop at https://spanish-abuela.square.site/ The website celebrates the wisdom and sass of our culture as handed down through dichos & refranes. Check her out and follow SpanishAbuela_ online today on Instagram and Facebook.

 Jamie Della (Mammoth Lakes, CA) -- Her presentation, A Mexican perspective of the Bear Flag Revolt: Using folklore, testimonios, letters, and oral histories to reveal the Californio experience of annexation and early evidence of the cultural conflict pervasive in America today, was accepted for the XVIII Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage/Association for Documentary Editing Joint Conference, Record Keepers of Nation: Diverse Foundational Figures and Documents of the US, scheduled for October 8-10, 2026.

 Karina Martinez (Austin, TX) -- Excited to share that her fashion brand, Lorenza, will show at Austin Fashion Week on May 7^th.

 Nimia Ramos Beauchamp (San Juan, PR) -- Organized a Feria de Servicios Comunitarios and Recruitment activity in April for Consejos Comunitarios de Seguridad en Cancha Baloncesto La Experimental en Río Piedras.

 Doris Selva (Laguna Woods, CA) – Completed Mission work in Brazil with Patria Church and Life Impact International, serving Children on a prevention project in April, providing support and love to vulnerable communities.

 Nadia Siles (Austin, TX) -- Nadia will be graduating from her Masters of Science in Computer and Electrical Engineering from University of Texas- Austin on May 9, 2026. Bravo!

  

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COMADRE AUTHORS

  

Nereida Claudio (Woodstock, GE) -- Spanish Abuela - Bilingual Home Provision - You can Follow her and shop her Bilingual Home Provisions at https://spanish-abuela.square.site/ The website will celebrate the wisdom and sass of our culture as handed down through dichos & refranes. Check her out and follow SpanishAbuela_ online today on Instagram and Facebook.

 Araceli Esparza (Madison, WI) – She self-published her memoir, Healing through racial discrimination. ¿Ahora Que? Now What?  Learn more about her book at https://www.araceliesparza.com/workbook. This is a free workbook on her website.

 Ana Parra-Vivas (Houston, TX) -- Is truly excited to share that her recent book, The Graceful Healing Workbook & Journal, received a 5-star review from Readers’ Favorite.  The reviewer shared: “The Graceful Healing Workbook and Journal could not have come at a better time, when so many people are desperate for a steadier direction in their lives.”  This meant a lot to Ana because: “this book was created for exactly that purpose—to offer a calm, guided space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.”  The book is a 12-week journey with short lessons, thoughtful questions, affirmations, and plenty of space to write—designed to help you slow down, gain clarity, and begin again with intention. Visit her at https://www.anaparravivas.com/graceful-healing-workbook.

 Mireya Perez-Bustillo (Brooklyn, NY) – She was the Featured Reader at Artemis Poets Collective at One on One, in New York City in April.  Also, published prose piece "Tendra Sus Razones" in Voices 2025, online journal of LP2Program of CUNY GCenter and reading and video of this piece In "Voices of Voices" 03/20/2026.  Mireya also has a poem in the latest Comadres Connect Newsletter, All New.

 Lara Rios (Highland, CA) – Her new romance, BUILT TO WIN, was published in March by Wise Writer Publishing.  Read more about her books at www.lara-rios.com.

  

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Congratulations to all and Thank You for your service!

 

 

LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

Join us in celebrating our Comadres Accomplishments. We are proud our Comadres are Leading the Way!

 

NOTE:   This list is for promotional purposes only and not intended as an endorsement of any kind.

  

ACCOMPLISHMENTS  

 Raesha Cartagena (New York, NY) – was presented with a Puerto Rican Women Legacy Award by the Comité Noviembre on March 26, as President of the Puerto Rican Institute for the Development of the Arts (PRIDA), Cultural Advocate and Puerto Rican Arts Community Leader.

 Dalilah Garcia (Brownsville, TX) -- On February 25, 2026, Dalilah had the distinct honor of making history as the first Spanish-language Virtual Networking Leader for FemCity. For 16 years, this international membership-based organization has exclusively operated in English. As President of FemCity Brownsville and a proud community founder, she led the organization’s first-ever virtual networking session conducted entirely in Spanish.  This milestone expanded accessibility and inclusivity while advancing FemCity’s mission to support and empower ambitious women in business through authentic connections, collaboration over competition, and the cultivation of meaningful professional and personal growth worldwide.

Karina Martinez (Pflugerville, TX) -- Her high-fashion clothing website is live! www.thelorenza.com.

 Elsa Prado (Oak Lawn, IL) -- Will be receiving an award for Women’s Day from International Radio and LULAC.

 Milly Silencio (Carteret, NJ) – On March 7, Milly was a Co-Presenter with Samuel Ocasio Jr. at Princeton Theological Seminary on “Technological Collective Connection through Memes: Religious Identity, Play, and Imagination of Latinos.”  Last November, she was Co-Presenter with Comadre Lizanne Espina at American Association of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature on the “Church’s Call of Solidarity with Migrant Women contending Injustices of The U.S. Immigration System.”  

 

Congratulations to all!

 

 

LAS COMADRES & FRIENDS BOOK CLUB ANNOUNCES MARCH BOOKS OF THE MONTH

 

Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club is pleased to announce its Books of the Month for March.  Both great selections to celebrate Women's History Month.

FRONTERA MADRE(HOOD) edited by Cynthia Bejarano & Maria Cristina Morales -- a collection of essays that explore Latinx, Black and Indigenous mothering from both sides of the US-Mexico border.  

MY TRAIN LEAVES AT THREE by Natalie Guerrero -- an electric coming-of-age novel about an ambitious young Latina from Washington Heights trying to make it on Broadway.

 

  

Read the full book descriptions and author bios here:   https://latinolit.com/march-2026-cynthia-bejarano-maria-cristina-morales-editors-and-natalie-guerrero/

 

SAVE THE DATE!   Our Live Author Podcast this month will be held on Monday, March 30, 8pm ET.  We’ll get a chance to talk to the authors and ask them about their books.   

 

FREE BOOK!  Register today for the podcast and you may win a free book:   https://latinolit.com/join-author-podcast/

Check your time zone:  5pm PT, 6pm MT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET, 9pm PR.

 

Shop for your books here:   https://bookshop.org/shop/lascomadresbookclub

 

Subscribe to the Las Comadres YouTube Channel for more author interviews.  Here's the link to last month's Live Author Podcast:   https://youtu.be/TgunqO0921E?si=HtMYNLzfp9NE36qd

 

Visit the Las Comadres & Friends Book Club website for more upcoming books of the month:   https://latinolit.com

 

 

Happy Reading and Always Read Latino Lit!

LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE & BOOK NEWS FOR FEBRUARY

 

Join us in celebrating our Comadres Accomplishments, Community Service and Book News. 

We are proud our Comadres are Leading the Way!

 

NOTE:   This list is for promotional purposes only and not intended as an endorsement of any kind.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY SERVICE  

 

Aliana Apodaca (El Paso, TX) – was named a Women of El Paso and inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame by the El Paso Commission for Women.

Maritere Bellas (Los Angeles, CA) -- will be presenting at the Mom 2.0 Summit in Austin, April 16-18, 2026. The all-Latina panel will be addressing Culture Driven Growth-How Storytelling Fuels Competitive Advantage.

Marcela Evans (Plano, Texas) -- started as Managing Attorney with Texas Immigration Law Council on January 20, 2026. 

Glenda Galvan Garcia (Garden Grove, CA) – was honored by the Boys and Girls Club of Central Orange Coast as a "Woman of Greatness Honoree" for her volunteer efforts over 10+ years. Glenda’s cooking classes and private chef dinners have supported life-changing programs and mentorship.

Lila Guzman (Round Rock, TX) -- is proud of her Community Service.  She is a Spanish translator for the Manna House, First Baptist Church Round Rock Texas on Wednesday afternoons.  And, every year, Lila serves as a judge for the International Latino Book Award.

Celeste Leon (Truckee, CA) -- obtained her Level 3 Wine Award from WSET--Wine and Spirit Education Trust, the industry leader and largest regulatory body for wine and spirits in the world, after almost three years of study in the Wine Program at Cabrillo College (Aptos CA).

Elizabeth (Lisa) Liang (Los Angeles, CA) – premiered her second one-woman show, Home[sic]. It's about her relationship with Guatemala and her grandmother & family there. If my elders were my country, what does it mean now that they're gone? https://elizabethliang.com/home-sic.  Lisa was trained as a Witness for Justice (immigration court observer) with Acacia Center for Justice.

Alicia Luna (Nevada, TX) -- is proud of her Community Service.  She is a volunteer in the food pantry at Rockwall Helping Hands and help raised money for children with cancer. Alicia is a breast cancer survivor, going on her second year.

Nimia Ramos Beauchamp (San Juan, PR) – is a Volunteer Community Yoga Instructor at Cancha Baja Techo La Experimental Río Piedras, PR.

Susana Sandoval (Chicago, IL) --  is currently working on her 4th documentary. More info to follow regarding release/screening.  She is proud to report that she is serving her 8th year as human rights commissioner, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.  Susana trained as a Witness for Justice (immigration court observer) with Acacia Center for Justice.

 

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COMADRE AUTHORS

 

Lila Guzman (Round Rock, TX) – is proud to report that her young adult time travel novel, Snatchers, is a runner-up on Reedsy's 2025 Novel Sprint.  Lila wrote Snatchers last November during the Novel Sprint.

Alicia Luna (Nevada, TX) -- Published her first children's book, What Does Mateo Want to Play?, in September 2025. It’s a middle grade children’s book.

Antonia Murguia (San Antonio, TX) – Published a poetry book, Antonia’s Poetic Heart, last year.

 

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Congratulations to all and Thank You for your service!

 

LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE & BOOK NEWS

  

Join us in celebrating our Comadres Accomplishments, Community Service and Book News.  This is a wonderful way to start the New Year with Comadres Leading the Way!

NOTE:   This list is for promotional purposes only and not intended as an endorsement of any kind.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY SERVICE  

 

Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin (Los Angeles, CA) – was appointed Pasadena Library Commissioner by Mayor Victor Gordo.  Vibiana is also a friend and volunteer at the Pasadena Public Library, where she is a bilingual children’s storyteller and puppeteer. She is on the board of the 50^th Chicano Moratorium Scholarship Committee, which raised money for eight scholarships for graduating students of East Los Angeles College. And, Vibiana has built several altars for deceased community members including the 30 who died in the Altadena Fires.

 

Andrea Arroyo (New York, NY) -- Participated in the Guadalajara International Book Fair conferences, engaging in meaningful conversations about art, freedom of expression, and the vital role of women artists.

 

Elsa Prado (Oak Lawn, IL) – was recognized by Cook County as an Influential Woman.  Elsa is a certified Spanish interpreter and translator with 20+ years of experience serving Cook County and healthcare settings. She is also an active volunteer with organizations addressing domestic violence, child welfare and social justice.  Watch the recognition video here.

 

Nancy Salazar (Washington DC) -- Passed her certification program and is now a certified Paralegal!

 

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COMADRE AUTHORS

 

Elizabeth (Lisa) Liang (Los Angeles, CA) – produced an award-winning film entitled, ALIEN CITIZEN: AN EARTH ODYSSEY.  It’s an oldie, but goodie and very relevant today.  Learn more at https://aliencitizensoloshow.com/

 

Carmen Peña (Nutley, NJ) – Her book, Latina Rise: Step Into Your Divine Destiny with Faith, Love, & Purpose, is about faith-centered leadership and personal growth.  The book is also available in Spanish, Latina Rise: De El Paso Hacia Tu Destino Divino Con Fe, Amor, Y Proposito.  Both books available on amazon.  Learn more at www.latinarise.org.

 

Mireya Perez-Bustillo (Brooklyn, NY) – was a featured poet at the Calypso Muse Reading Series on January 8 at Gladys Books & Wine in Brooklyn, NY.

 

Nimia Ramos Beauchamp (San Juan, PR) – published a crossword puzzle book entitled, MUCH ABOUT YOGA X-WORD PUZZLE: AN ANCESTRAL HEALING SCIENCE.  Book is available on www.lulu.com/shop/.  Learn more about Nimia at www.APYArte.com.

                                   

 

   

Congratulations to all !

#ComadresLeadTheWay

#LasComadres

#Community

#Connection

 

 

2025 LATINO BOOKS OF THE YEAR

 

List curated by the Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club.

 

Abuela Lore by Isabella Santana (Somos en Escrito Literary Foundation Press)

Alligator Tears by Edgar Gomez (Crown)

Art Above Everything by Stephanie Elizondo Griest (Beacon Press)

Bird of Four Hundred Voices by Eugene Rodriguez (Heyday)

Black Mestiza: Poems by Yael Aldana (University Press of Kentucky)

Badass Bonita by Kim Guerra (Balance)

Brother Brontë by Fernando A. Flores  (MCD)

Daughter of Fire by Sofia Robleda (Amazon Crossing)

Embody Joy by Beatriz Fritschler (independently published)

I’ll Give You a Reason by Annell López (The Feminist Press at CUNY)

Latina Superheroes: Jalisco & Santa Vol. 1 by Kayden Phoenix (Andrews McMeel Publishing)

Las Bugambilias: A Bilingual Queer Novel by Lalo León (Alv Publishing)

Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura (Celadon Books)

Loca by Alejandro Heredia (Simon & Schuster)

Los Muertos: Day of the Dead Fiction by Adela Pineda Franco (Tinta Books)

Malinalli by Veronica Chapa (Atria / Primero Sueño Press)

One Summer Night at the Shore by Caridad Pineiro (independently published)

Ramas y Raices: The Best of CALMA by Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Authors (CALMA)

Salt Bones by Jennifer Givhan (Mulholland Books)

Speak Up! by Susana G. Baumann (Excel Branding)

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Del Rey)

The Border Between Us by Rudy Ruiz (Blackstone Publishing)

The Prince & The Coyote by David Bowles (Levine Querido)  

The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo (Atria/ Primero Sueño Press)

Vanishing Daughters by Cynthia Pelayo (Thomas & Mercer)

 

 

The Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club is celebrating its 19th year.

There are book clubs in 12 cities. The Book Club is part of Las Comadres Para Las Americas, a not-for-profit organization for Latinas with 10,000 members worldwide.  The Book Club’s mission is to promote the work of Latine authors to every book lover, to bring our community to bookstores, and to support our writers. 

The Comadres & Friends Book Club Membership is free and open to everyone -- Latinos and non-Latinos.  We read two books by Latino authors every month in English, and hold a Live Author Podcast the last Monday of the month.  Visit us at www.latinolit.com.   

#ReadLatinoLit.