LAS COMADRES PARA LAS AMERICAS CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR MARCH 2024

 

Congratulations to the following Comadres on their Accomplishments.   

Dr. Esmeralda Adame (TX) -- was honored by the Hispanic Women Network of Texas with a Hispanic Women Making History Award.

Andrea Arroyo (NY) -- is thrilled to share that one of her artworks is featured in a publication highlighting the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, developed by the United Nations Human Rights Office and launched at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The artwork is part of her series #ArtAsSolidarity, which is published widely, including in her book "ImagiNATIONS: Art as Solidarity."

Moni Avila (TX) -- Celebrated her 2nd anniversary at Metro Health.  Moni was selected and is a semi-finalist for the next cohort of Culture of Health Leadership Institute for Racial Healing and has been nominated for a 2024 Healthy Communities Fellowship.

Rose Costas Dietrich (TX) -- Celebrated five years working as a caregiver for Visiting Angels. Rose has helped take care of many elderly clients including veterans in there home.

Estella Gonzalez (AZ) -- is pleased to announce that The Texas Institute of Letters has recognized her  novel, HUIZACHE WOMEN, as a finalist for the Jesse H. Jones Award for Best Book of Fiction.

Mireya Perez-Bustillo (NY) -- was a Guest Poet at Green Pavilion Women's History Month on 3/13/24, and she was also invited for Published Writers at Voices, a publication of the LP2 Program of the CUNY Graduate Center event on 4/17/24.

Ana Veciana-Suarez (FL) -- Her historical novel, DULCINEA, was an Amazon besteller for week of March 6, 2024.



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

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

 

Congratulations to all our Comadres!

SPOTLIGHT: COMADRE ROSI AMADOR FROM SOL Y CANTO

 

REFLECTING ABOUT CAMINO DE SANTIAGO, SPAIN

by Rosa Beato

 

How did you get started as Sol y Canto? How long have you been with Las Comadres Boston Network?

I am originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. My mom was an actress and singer raised in NYC of Puerto Rican descent and my dad was an actor from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I went to Bryn Mawr College in the Philadelphia area and moved to Boston after graduating and stayed because of the arts, culture, and progressive community that I resonated with. I joined Las Comadres in 2005. I met this wonderful group of Latina women gathering in their homes and was immediately welcomed! I felt I'd found a home away from home right away and went to as many gatherings as possible for years, particularly before I had my kids. I also hosted many a Comadrazo in my garden during the summer and loved being the hostess! Las Comadres Para Las Américas has been a beautiful support system in my life.

My husband, Brian and I founded our Latin band Sol y Canto in Cambridge, MA where we currently still live, in 1994 after ending a previous Latin band that lasted 10 years (Flor de Caña). We knew we didn't want to stop making music and wanted to sing about the things that matter to us. We perform as a duo, trio or quintet around the U.S and in Puerto Rico. We describe Sol y Canto as "Latin roots music with a social conscience" and our repertoire ranges from heartfelt lullabies dedicated to our one-time baby twins, to songs expressing our hopes for a better world, to driving dance rhythms about how to combat solitude by connecting with friends. We adore singing for Las Comadres' annual bilingual holiday sing-along online every year. Something Comadre Nora launched during the pandemic! 

Let’s talk about your trip to Camino de Santiago, Spain.  What made you take this trip to Camino De Santiago?

The Camino de Santiago is an extensive network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. We had the idea of going to the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage to Northern Spain, well before the pandemic when we saw the movie "The Way" with Martin Sheen which takes place in the Camino de Santiago. We were supposed to go in May 2020 and due to the pandemic ended up going in October 2021. 

What did you do to prepare for this trip?

My husband Brian and I trained throughout 2019-20 by walking 2-14 miles every weekend. Just before the trip, we would take two walks a week. One early on a weekday for 2-3 miles and a longer one on the weekend. We always walked on nature trails throughout the greater Boston and New England region, no matter what the weather, and learned how to adapt to all types of climates. We fell in love with it and it is still a sacred ritual for us. 

 

Which route did you take? How many nights?

We took the "Camino Francés" (the French Way) which is the most popular. It starts from France, but to walk from France you must walk for about a month. We could only take a total of three weeks of vacation, so we flew into Madrid, spent time with friends before and after the trip, and walked on the Camino for two weeks with our backpacks through the beautiful mountainous regions of Castilla y León and Galicia in Northern Spain. We walked a total of 160 miles and stayed in simple but comfortable lodgings, rural homes, hostels, and small inns along the way. We didn't camp. Most people don't. We stopped to eat in wonderful cafes and small restaurants that dot the way on the Camino Francés, which is very set up for the Camino "pilgrims" as walkers are called who take on this walk. It took us 2 weeks to get to Santiago de Compostela, a beautiful ancient city where all the paths from different countries come together! After seeing so few people on the Camino, it was a bit overwhelming to arrive and see throngs of people, to be honest. We enjoyed our two-day stay at the end of our journey and had some excellent meals in that regal city with an amazing church. 

What was your least favorite route?

There were many ascents and descents.  On the second day I recall a particularly arduous ascent after a serious descent that was very challenging for our bodies, our knees in particular. Plus, it was a long day - longer than we should have taken on. We planned our own trip by looking at maps and “guesstimating” how we'd do. We learned the hard way and the rest of the trip went great. Because the long descents are the hardest on the knees there are some pilgrims that skip it - and are taken by car to the next town - others who do it. I'm glad I did it, but I would have liked a lighter walking day to feel less inclined to hurry to get to my lodging before it got dark.

 

Would you do it again?

Absolutely! We already went back once, though only for five days the following June, with friends, this time from Santiago de Compostela to the coast (Finisterre, Spain) - "Finis -terre - end of the earth, to see the coast! My dream is to go back and do the Camino with my twins who are now 27.  So far, they are not too interested in that walk but open to other adventures. That is my wish - that we go as a family. I suspect I may go with other friends before that happens.

 

What is challenging?

You must be in good enough physical shape to be prepared for those climbs and descents. Though, on the other hand, we saw people who were significantly older than me who were walking alongside us at times. We decided to carry our backpacks, but many people pay a small fee for a van to take their backpacks to the next lodging and simply carry a daypack. A lot of organized trips are like this. That is friendlier for the older, less able-bodied walkers. We used walking poles which made the walk more manageable, and it reduces the impact on the knees. We love them and use them now every time we walk! 

 

What lessons do you take away from this journey?

I learned that carrying a backpack with a total of two sets of clothes and a few other things is ALL you need to be happy! Who knew? What a simple discovery. We were able to wash our dirty laundry at every stop easily (there are plentiful washing machines in the lodgings). So amazing how much stuff we carry around in our lives that we don't need at all. I loved the simplicity of having only one goal every day: to walk and be in the present. I loved being in nature in a beautiful country where the locals are so kind to the pilgrims and where I was sharing an adventure with everyone else who was walking. We pilgrims always wished one another "Buen Camino" (good path) whenever we walked by one another. People from all over the world do this walk - some for religious or spiritual reasons, and some for adventure - and we all feel this deep connection simply by sharing the Camino. 

 For Brian and me, one of the things that made it very special is that we shared our music. Since it was still during the pandemic, we chose not to stay in hostels where (younger) people tend to stay to save money and sleep in bunk beds. When we stayed in a hostel, we got a private room (only once). We always had our own private room everywhere we stayed. I worried that we'd never meet anyone this way, so I proposed to him that we go to the breakfast room where we were staying and sing one of Brian's songs called "Buen Camino".  We simply got up and made an announcement that we wanted to dedicate this song to all the pilgrims present (in English since that's the common language for international travelers). Not surprisingly, people then approached us to meet us. We made so many wonderful friends that way! In fact, a fellow pilgrim filmed us singing "Buen Camino" on the Camino. Brian played a small travel guitar that fit in his backpack that came in handy daily. Watch the YouTube Video.

 The biggest lesson learned from this journey is that for me walking is a spiritual practice. I discovered something I already knew but felt more deeply on the Camino: nature is a part of my spirituality. Walking in silence is a gift. Even though I went with Brian, we frequently walked at a different pace, and he would be ahead. Sometimes I walked with other pilgrims and had a fantastic time hearing their Camino stories. But mostly I walked alone, hearing my footsteps. This solitude gave me lots of time to think, to really listen to the birds and sounds of nature, to sing to myself, to reflect on my life, to fully embody the walk and to feel so much gratitude for making the commitment and then to carry out this dream we had for years. Our bodies were strong to carry us through on foot in good weather and rainy and cold weather at times. We LOVED the Camino and look forward to returning. We also love Spain, the food and wines! Spaniards are so welcoming; they know how to treat their guests. The country’s infrastructure is topnotch, traveler friendly and it's economical.

 

There have been some conversations about Las Comadres possibly making this journey to Camino de Santiago. I know I would love to do it too.

I think that's a GREAT idea! It's a very bonding experience! And very doable if you plan it right. Brian and I got good at planning. A lot of people just hire a company that organizes it for your group and that works well too if you're into that. We wanted total freedom.

This article is part of the Fall issue of the Comadres Connect Newsletter.

Copyright @2023 Las Comadres Para Las Americas

LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR OCTOBER 2023

 

 Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. 

It is the Courage to continue that counts. – Winston S. Churchill

 

 

Congratulations to the following Comadres on their accomplishments.

 

Julia Abrantes (NC) – Happy to announce that she started a new job as Office Manager at a Raleigh accounting firm on October 17.

 

Amina Susi Ali (NY) – Her short story, Autumn, was published in the Fall 2023 issue of LatineLit journal. Here is the link: https://www.latinelit.com/2023fall/autumn

 

Andrea Arroyo (NY) – Is thrilled to share that she received the Gold Medal for Best Art Book at the International Latino Book Awards!! Signed copies of the book are available through her website: https://www.andreaarroyo.com/solidarity.  On November 1, Andrea had a showing at Flatiron Plaza for a new art piece inspired by the "Day of the Dead" tradition. This article is about her upcoming Dia de Muertos piece, published by the School of Visual Arts: https://bit.ly/SVA_DiaMuertos.   

 

Elizabeth Avilés (TX) – Celebrated three years as a Certified Nurse Midwife with her prenatal & homebirth practice, Baby Catcher, PLLC.

 

Norma Ella Cantú (TX) – Has a new book, CHICANA PORTRAITS: CRITICAL BIOGRAPHIES OF 12 CHICANA WRITERS (U of AZ Press, 2023).  It includes bios of Montserrat Fontes, Gloria E. Anzaldúa, Caren Tafolla, Ana Castillo, Sandra Cisneros and more. Check out the book here:   https://uapress.arizona.edu/book/chicana-portraits

                              

Gladys I. Cruz (NY) – Was elected President of AASA, the Superintendents Association, in June.

 

Nylda Dieppa (FL) – Was elected vice-president of the Orlando chapter of the Florida State Poets Association. Two of her poems won honorable mentions at the FSPA yearly contest and others were received with great acclaim when she read at the 2023 FSPA conference.

 

Rosalinda Diaz (NY) – Happy to announce the publication of her new book, Decolonizing Paradise: A Radical Ethnography of Environmental Stewardship in the Caribbean, from Peter Lang Publishers, January 2024.

 

Pearl Garza Fracchia (TX) – Was elected to the UTSW Simmons Cancer Center's Community Advisory Board Chair this past September.

 

Bobbie Garza-Hernandez (TX) – is the proud Recipient of the 2023 Women's Hall of Fame of San Marcos, TX.

 

Estela González (VT) – Her novel ARRIBADA received a silver medal at the International Latino Book Awards in the Novel of Drama or Adventure category!

 

Teresa Lara (CA) – Completed her Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Certification through e-Cornell this month! It was an intensive and interactive 6-week program learning and sharing space with professionals across industries (academia, corporate, military, philanthropy).  Teresa very much enjoyed this Masterclass on Equity, Performance, and Engagement! 

 

Karina H. Martinez (TX) – Was accepted to participate as a Fashion Designer in the November 10-12 Austin Fashion Week. She will be showing her collection on Sunday, November 12. This is a paid event and will be at the Domain.

 

Beatriz Mendoza Cortissoz (FL) – Successfully participated in the first Feria Internacional del Libro de Indiana at the IUPUI University campus in Indianapolis, Indiana, bringing Spanish language books and Latino culture to the modern languages department students and professors of such a distinguished university as well as to the Hispanic population in Indianapolis. The event was organized by the Academia Norteamericana de la Lengua Española.

 

Dr. Guillermina Gina Nunez-Mchiri (CA) – Was a recipient of MANA-Imperial Valley's Las Primeras Award; an award given to three Latinas who have demonstrated important 'firsts' in their field with a national impact.

 

Mireya Perez-Bustillo (NY) – Proud to announce she had four poems published in the on-line Journal Voices, a publication of the Graduate Center – CUNY.   

 

Carol Portillo, PhD – Happy to be back in high tech. She is working at AMD as part of the Global Marketing team helping create and drive the governance, advocacy, and training for the AMD Global Brand. 

 

Nimia Ramos (PR) – Has finished writing her first book! Nimia is waiting for the illustrator to do a few finishing touches and looking for a volunteer editor! Stay tuned as she'll soon have a fun free crossword health related puzzle on her website!  APYArte Inc. has a logo! Please check it out! www.APYArte.com

 

Jo Reyes-Boitel (TX) – Her new book, THE MATCHSTICK LITANIES, is a poetic memoir out now from San Antonio-based Next Page Press. The book focuses on the author's upbringing in a mixed Latinx household faced with issues of addiction, migration, and intimate partner violence and the attempts to find a new path toward healing. For more information: https://nextpage-press.com/the-matchstick-litanies-by-jo-reyes-boitel.html.

 

Rachel V. Reyes (FL) – Her new book, Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal (#3 Caribbean Kitchen Mystery) published on November 7.  It is set in Puerto Rico. This humorous and contemporary mystery deals with some of the island's historic issues that are still problems today. The novel is also available in audiobook with the amazing Frankie Corzo as the voice actor. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/729812/barbacoa-bomba-and-betrayal-by-raquel-v-reyes/

       AND!  Book 2 in the series, Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking, won a Gold International Latino Book Award in the mystery category. The judges lauded the inclusion of Spanish in the story. The series follows food anthropologist turned cooking show star, Miriam Quiñones as she juggles family, career, and solving mysteries.

 

Christy Yannis (NY) – Congratulations to Christy on wrapping her zombie horror short film, Public Housing Z! It is a fascinating and timely film, especially given the current housing crisis and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Christy was particularly interested in focusing on Ana, a young girl who must fight to survive in an abandoned building after her family and neighbors become ill. Many people might be able to relate to Ana's experience of feeling isolated and vulnerable in a world that has been turned upside down. Christy was also eager to see how the film explores the themes of social injustice, survival, and hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Be sure to follow @geeketteschat on Instagram for updates on the film.

 

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This Accomplishments List is published monthly.

 

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!

 

Visit Las Comadres here:  https://lascomadres.com/lco/

 Join Las Comadres here:  https://lascomadres.com/lco/join-las-comadres/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2023

 True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful. – Paul Sweeney

 

 

 

Congratulations to the following Comadres on their accomplishments!

 

 

Julia Alcantara (TX) – is celebrating producing her 13th Flamenco Festival in Dallas / Fort Worth.

 

Amina Susi Ali (NY) – is pleased to announce that her short fiction piece, Afternoon Party, was published in Random Sample Review Issue 9. Read more about it here:  https://randomsamplereview.com/2023/09/10/afternoon-party/

 

Andrea Arroyo (NY) – is happy to share that her large-scale art exhibition, "Goddesses at the Palace," had a successful run at the historic United Palace in New York City. The exhibition was the culmination of the first year of her fellowship with the Artist Employment Program of Creatives Rebuild New York.

 

Jackie Astacio (NY) -- started a new job with Queens Community House as a contract management assistant on Sept 19.

 

Eva Bonilla (TX) – was recognized as one of the Latino/Hispanic Top 50 Leaders in Fort Worth at the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 50th Gala Celebration on September 16.

 

Susana Carbajal (TX) – was appointed City of Austin's Chief of Staff under Interim City Manager Jesus Garza.

 

Norma Elia Cantú (TX) – has a new book, CHICANA PORTRAITS: Critical Biographies of Twelve Chicana Writers. Read more about it here:  https://uapress.arizona.edu/book/chicana-portraits

 

Dori Contreras (TX) – On September 22nd, the University of Houston Law Center unveiled its Hispanic Heritage Wall of Honor displaying photos of 28 "pioneer" alumni who have "achieved significant accomplishments."  Dori is honored to be one of the 28.

 

Sara Alicia Costa (TX) – celebrates the third Anniversary of Ocurrente Design. Opened in September 2020 to our inaugural work with Iglesia Pentecostal, Ocurrente continues to provide Architectural services to our central Texas neighbors. We specialize in Residential Design and small Commercial projects. We are excited to announce our future expansion to San Diego, CA. Look for us there in 2025!!

 

Annette Cruz-Padilla (CA) – is a Certified Abundance Coach through the School of Abundance (August 26, 2023); President of the Darina Parlor 114 (San Francisco, 2022 to Present) Organization: the Native Daughters of the Golden West, a California native born philanthropy organization, which promotes California history, significance of Californians, Veteran's, pioneers, Children's Foundation projects, restorative planting of Redwoods, Admissions Day, light houses & California Missions projects, etc. Building strong California leaders!!!!  Her book launch begins soon.  She is also a Social Influencer for Secret Knock from 2022 to present. Si Se Puede.

 

Maricruz Flores (TN) – is celebrating that her daughter Irene Marie Niculae (33), got her diploma as an Attorney Assistant this week!! So proud of her hard work. Now she is going to continue her professional formation at MTSU: a computer Science program for four more years!!

 

Estela González (VT) – is happy to announce that her novel ARRIBADA is the recipient of an International Latino Book Award!

 

Liz González (CA) – won a 2023 California Arts Council established Individual Artist Fellowship in September 2023.

 

Lila Guzman (TX) – is pleased to announce that her short story, "The Angel and the Baby Mobile," debuted on September 25, 2023, in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: ANGELS AND THE MIRACULOUS. It joins two other stories that Lila has published this year for Chicken Soup for the Soul. Lila also celebrates the 20th anniversary of the publication of LORENZO'S REVOLUTIONARY QUEST (Arte Publico Press). The young adult novel tells the story of the first cattle drive in U.S. history from the missions in San Antonio to Louisiana during the Revolutionary War.

 

Dr. Natalie Hendrix (TX) -- On Sept. 5, 2023, Dr. Natalie Hendrix was promoted to the position of Early Childhood Program Administrator within the Office of Children Services Division for Travis County Health & Human Services. In this position Natalie will provide support and promote the success of the Healthy Families program, managers, and staff who provide early childhood services to the community. She will also take on a collaborative leadership role within the Division; and will actively participate in Early Childhood community initiatives.

 

Karina H. Martinez (TX) – is happy to report that she got accepted as a designer to participate in the Austin Fashion Week in November 10-12 at The Domain.

 

Jacqueline Quinoňes (NY) – is proud to have helped to launch kick off activities for the SALUD employee resource group Latino Heritage Month at the NYC dept of health.  

 

Enid Lagares Rodriguez (NY) – celebrated her retirement after teaching children for 20+ years, and she’s still teaching ELLs two days a week.

 

Anna Yvonne Rodriguez (VA) – celebrated her two-year anniversary with Egality Sciences.  She started this company to help Latine communities have access to clinical research as an option of care. Reach out if you know communities that need/want access: www.egalitysciences.com

 

Rachel C. Ybarra (TX) – is happy to report that she was appointed to The University of Texas McCombs School of Business Dean's Advisory Council. Advisory members provide counsel to the dean, faculty, and staff on strategy and issues affecting the future of the school, curricula, programs, and external affairs. They also engage in and support the fundraising efforts of the school. Advisory members consist of individuals whose stature and accomplishments in the business world bring credibility to the school. The University of Texas McCombs School of Business is a world-class business school. All 12 of their undergraduate specialties rank in the top 10 nationally and is home to the country's No. 1 accounting program.

 

 

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This Accomplishments List is published monthly .  

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!

Visit Las Comadres here:  https://lascomadres.com/lco/

Join Las Comadres here:  https://lascomadres.com/lco/join-las-comadres/

 

RECOGNITION ROSES PRESENTED AT THE 2023 WORLDWIDE COMADRAZO

 

SISTERHOOD & COMMUNITY:  HEAR US. SEE US. JOIN US.

Saturday, April 29, 2023

RECOGNITION  ROSES

 

    LAS COMADRES PARA LAS AMERICAS

Thanks the following Comadres for their time and efforts

ROSA BEATO

ESPERANZA BELTRAN

 GLORIA CHAVEZ CASAS

MIRTHA G. PEREZ

JACQUELINE QUIŇONES

TERRY SAUCEDO

AILEEN R. SCHLEF

 

Las Comadres & Friends 

National Latino Book Club

Thanks the following Comadres for their support of the Book Club and

helping promote Latino authors and Latino Literature around the world

TERESA M. TOBIN

DORA M. ABREU

KAREN GONZALEZ    

THANK YOU, COMADRES!