Las Comadres Para Las Americas
Happy 21st Anniversary, Comadres!
Never settle for ‘just enough’ when ‘awesome’ is around the corner.
– Jay Maymi, THRIVEOLOGY
IN GRATITUDE
Dr. Nora de Hoyos Comstock
21 Years! It has been a wild ride! We have done so many things, learned so much from each other, and built lasting friendships. Las Comadres is not the story of one person. We are mucho mas than the sum of our parts. You are Las Comadres and our coordinators, and I have been the glue. Without your unflagging support as members of this vast social network, without your patience as we built it, we would not be here celebrating!
There are so many of you that I must thank for contributing to the success of Las Comadres that it would fill pages (actually your names up to the year 2012 appear in the Acknowledgments in our book, COUNT ON ME: Tales of Sisterhoods and Fierce Friendships, published by Simon and Schuster in English in 2012/Spanish in 2013). There are many names to add to the list after publication. And with the addition of new leadership for Las Comadres, especially the energetic and vibrant, Maria Ferrer, with her new ganas, together we will change the face of Latinx/as in this nation and around the world. The stories and memories will fill books and bring us closer together and make us stronger.
The next twenty years are a new chapter in our journey to securing our place as indelible contributors to the US American experience. It will not be an easy chapter, but it must be written and spoken by us—you, our Latinx/a/o communities, and me. Each and every one of you has a special role to play and we are here to help, as always.
From Nora’s letter in the 2021 WWC & 21st Anniversary Commemorative Book.
CALENDAR
June 21 – Summer Reading List released
June 28 – Las Comadres & Friends Book Club Teleconference
June 30 – Las Comadres Speaker Series: Climate Justice
July 26 – Las Comadres & Friends Book Club Teleconference
July 28 – Las Comadres Speaker Series: Democracy & the Informed Citizen
August 25 – Las Comadres Speaker Series: Mental Health in the Latino Community
August 30 -- Las Comadres & Friends Book Club Teleconference
LAS COMADRES SPEAKER SERIES
Check your time zone: 4pm PT / 5pm MT/ 6pm CT/ 7pm ET
Wednesday, June 30
Environmental & Climate Justice
Speaker: Elizabeth Yeampierre
Wednesday, July 28
Democracy and the Informed Citizen: If Not YOU, Who?
Speakers: Dr. Nora Comstock & Olga Campos Benz
Wednesday, August 25
Mental Health in the Latino Community
Speaker: Dr. Ana Nogales
Worldwide Comadrazo Highlights
Las Comadres throws a Worldwide Comadrazo every two years, and we were not going to let the pandemic stop our tradition, plus 2021 marks Las Comadres 21st Anniversary. Thank goodness for zoom. The WWC went virtual and it was amazing. Great speakers, informative breakouts, and we launched The Nora Awards. And surprise, surprise! We never expected for our sign off that day to turn into a Sing-A-Long with Comadre Marialy Gonzalez and “The Comadres Song.” This Summer issue is dedicated to Comadres Everywhere. We look forward to our next WWC Live in April, 2023 in Austin, TX. Mark your calendars!
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The Honorable Nellie Gorbea, Rhode Island Secretary of State and Comadre was our Keynote Speaker. She stressed the importance of Fierce Friendships and networking.
Comadre Nellie is running for Rhode Island Governor this Fall. Good luck to her!
TESTIMONIALS
The 2021 Worldwide Comadrazo was my first one to attend, coincidentally it was also the first ever virtual WWC. For someone who is pretty low-key, I suppose this was a good way to test the waters and ease the overwhelming feeling of seeing hundreds of women, albeit amazing as they are. After this delicious probadita, I am so ready for our next WWC in which I look forward to an in person, hugs and kisses, meeting of women. -- Esperanza
I like how the Worldwide Comadrazo brings all of our little groups together and we can see how great we are on a larger scale. Comadres are women empowering women and building fierce friendships along the way! – Karen
Thank you for making this virtual Worldwide Comadrazo. Because of the pandemic, I have had the opportunity to attend several national and international events that I would NOT have been able to attend otherwise because of the cost involved with hotel, transportation etc...Sure the experience is NOT the same but it’s better than nothing. – Laura
I love sharing stories, advice, and ideas—and having fun—with women whose lives, in many ways, parallel mine. Being so far away from the sisters I grew up with, this makes me feel en familia. Like a warm abrazo. – Anabel
BREAKOUT GROUPS REVIEWS
Stephanie Elizondo Griest is amazing. Her writing workshop was so inspirational, and she gave us lots of great ideas on how to start to write.
I liked Julia Abrantes’ presentation on Latino books and supporting authors. I loved her passion.
Fierce Friendships was a favorite. Sol Córdova did a great job! Frientimacy—my favorite new word.
Loved learning more about the American Latino Museum. Can’t wait to visit one day. Thanks Lily Gil Valletta.
Laura López Cano always. I learned a lot in just a few minutes.
My favorite workshop was Karen Valentin’s on Parenting. She knows kids!
I loved the Civic Engagement workshop with Dr. Nora de Hoyos Comstock and Dora Tovar. Engaging and knowledgeable speakers.
Enjoyed Sylvia Klinger’s workshop on Nutrition. She spoke of nutrition from a Latino perspective—Great!
SPEAKERS
Many thanks to the all the speakers at the Worldwide Comadrazo, including:
Julia Abrantes, www.latinolit.com
Dr. Nora de Hoyos Comstock, www.lascomadres.com
Sol Córdova, www.mindsoltherapy.com
Lili Gil Valletta, https://americanlatinomuseum.org/
The Honorable Nellie Gorbea, https://nelliegorbea.com
Stephanie Elizondo Griest, www.stephanieelizondogriest.com
Dr. Sylvia Klinger, www.hispanicnutrition.com
Laura López Cano, www.instagram.com/laura.lopez.cano
Dora Tovar, www.tovarpr.com
Karen Valentin, www.karenvalentinauthor.com
WWC COMMITTEE
Many Thanks to the WWC Committee: Maria Ferrer, Dr. Nora de Hoyos Comstock, Laura Esparza, Monica Peňa, Rosa Beato, Nydia Marsella, Tess Tobin, Tania Sole and Dr. Charley Ferrer. Thanks as well to Comadre Yvonne Tapia for the WWC 2021 Logo.
LINKS TO OTHER ARTICLES
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Quarterly Newsletter for and by Las Comadres Para Las Americas.
Editor: Maria Ferrer
Contributing Writers:
Rosa Beato
Esperanza Beltran
Jacqueline Quiňones
Eris Garriga
Email us at info@lascomadres.com.
©LasComadresParaLasAmericas 2021
Wednesday, June 30
Environmental & Climate Justice
Speaker: Elizabeth Yeampierre
Wednesday, July 28
Democracy and the Informed Citizen: If Not YOU, Who?
Speakers: Dr. Nora Comstock & Olga Campos Benz
Wednesday, August 25
Mental Health in the Latino Community
Speaker: Dr. Ana Nogales
Worldwide Comadrazo Highlights
Las Comadres throws a Worldwide Comadrazo every two years, and we were not going to let the pandemic stop our tradition, plus 2021 marks Las Comadres 21st Anniversary. Thank goodness for zoom. The WWC went virtual and it was amazing. Great speakers, informative breakouts, and we launched The Nora Awards. And surprise, surprise! We never expected for our sign off that day to turn into a Sing-A-Long with Comadre Marialy Gonzalez and “The Comadres Song.” This Summer issue is dedicated to Comadres Everywhere. We look forward to our next WWC Live in April, 2023 in Austin, TX. Mark your calendars!
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The Honorable Nellie Gorbea, Rhode Island Secretary of State and Comadre was our Keynote Speaker. She stressed the importance of Fierce Friendships and networking.
Comadre Nellie is running for Rhode Island Governor this Fall. Good luck to her!
TESTIMONIALS
The 2021 Worldwide Comadrazo was my first one to attend, coincidentally it was also the first ever virtual WWC. For someone who is pretty low-key, I suppose this was a good way to test the waters and ease the overwhelming feeling of seeing hundreds of women, albeit amazing as they are. After this delicious probadita, I am so ready for our next WWC in which I look forward to an in person, hugs and kisses, meeting of women. -- Esperanza
I like how the Worldwide Comadrazo brings all of our little groups together and we can see how great we are on a larger scale. Comadres are women empowering women and building fierce friendships along the way! – Karen
Thank you for making this virtual Worldwide Comadrazo. Because of the pandemic, I have had the opportunity to attend several national and international events that I would NOT have been able to attend otherwise because of the cost involved with hotel, transportation etc...Sure the experience is NOT the same but it’s better than nothing. – Laura
I love sharing stories, advice, and ideas—and having fun—with women whose lives, in many ways, parallel mine. Being so far away from the sisters I grew up with, this makes me feel en familia. Like a warm abrazo. – Anabel
BREAKOUT GROUPS REVIEWS
Stephanie Elizondo Griest is amazing. Her writing workshop was so inspirational, and she gave us lots of great ideas on how to start to write.
I liked Julia Abrantes’ presentation on Latino books and supporting authors. I loved her passion.
Fierce Friendships was a favorite. Sol Córdova did a great job! Frientimacy—my favorite new word.
Loved learning more about the American Latino Museum. Can’t wait to visit one day. Thanks Lily Gil Valletta.
Laura López Cano always. I learned a lot in just a few minutes.
My favorite workshop was Karen Valentin’s on Parenting. She knows kids!
I loved the Civic Engagement workshop with Dr. Nora de Hoyos Comstock and Dora Tovar. Engaging and knowledgeable speakers.
Enjoyed Sylvia Klinger’s workshop on Nutrition. She spoke of nutrition from a Latino perspective—Great!
SPEAKERS
Many thanks to the all the speakers at the Worldwide Comadrazo, including:
Julia Abrantes, www.latinolit.com
Dr. Nora de Hoyos Comstock, www.lascomadres.com
Sol Córdova, www.mindsoltherapy.com
Lili Gil Valletta, https://americanlatinomuseum.org/
The Honorable Nellie Gorbea, https://nelliegorbea.com
Stephanie Elizondo Griest, www.stephanieelizondogriest.com
Dr. Sylvia Klinger, www.hispanicnutrition.com
Laura López Cano, www.instagram.com/laura.lopez.cano
Dora Tovar, www.tovarpr.com
Karen Valentin, www.karenvalentinauthor.com
WWC COMMITTEE
Many Thanks to the WWC Committee: Maria Ferrer, Dr. Nora de Hoyos Comstock, Laura Esparza, Monica Peňa, Rosa Beato, Nydia Marsella, Tess Tobin, Tania Sole and Dr. Charley Ferrer. Thanks as well to Comadre Yvonne Tapia for the WWC 2021 Logo.
Spotlight on the 2021 Nora Award Winners
Interviews with Yadhira, Charley & Austin Community Foundation
Link: https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2021/06/spotlight-2021-nora-award-winners.html
Summer Fling: The Versatility of Plantains by Eris Garriga & recipe
Plus, Summer Tips and Agua de Pepino
Link: https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2021/06/summer-fling-2021.html
Summer Reading List – Hot off the Press! 21 Books for your reading pleasure!
Read Latino Lit with these book selections. There is something for everyone.
Link: https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2021/06/7th-annual-summer-reading-list.html
Spotlight on Sponsors & Donors of the 2021 Worldwide Comadrazo & 21st Anniversary Celebration
Link: https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2021/06/spotlight-on-2021-wwc-sponsors-donors.html
Interviews with Yadhira, Charley & Austin Community Foundation
Link: https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2021/06/spotlight-2021-nora-award-winners.html
Summer Fling: The Versatility of Plantains by Eris Garriga & recipe
Plus, Summer Tips and Agua de Pepino
Link: https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2021/06/summer-fling-2021.html
Summer Reading List – Hot off the Press! 21 Books for your reading pleasure!
Read Latino Lit with these book selections. There is something for everyone.
Link: https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2021/06/7th-annual-summer-reading-list.html
Spotlight on Sponsors & Donors of the 2021 Worldwide Comadrazo & 21st Anniversary Celebration
Link: https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2021/06/spotlight-on-2021-wwc-sponsors-donors.html
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Quarterly Newsletter for and by Las Comadres Para Las Americas.
Editor: Maria Ferrer
Contributing Writers:
Rosa Beato
Esperanza Beltran
Jacqueline Quiňones
Eris Garriga
Email us at info@lascomadres.com.
©LasComadresParaLasAmericas 2021
COMADRES CONNECT!
