LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR MARCH 2023

 COMADRES!  We celebrate You!

 

Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.

If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.  ---Herman Cain

  

 

 

Congratulations to all!

 

 

Gloria Arguezo (AZ) – Her son and his wife, Luis and Andrea, are expecting the family’s very first grandbaby! They’re keeping the baby’s sex a secret, so in May they’re expecting a wonderful surprise! Let the spoiling begin!!

 

Moni Avila (TX) – Became instructor certified to teach Community Health Workers.  She was selected to participate in a national training on Racial Justice for a Re-imagined World; was selected to take part in the first Phenomenal Woman videography project; and was selected to present at NACCS Tejas on Nontraditional Student Experiences in el Torre del Marfil.  Moni is also presenting at NOLA Teaching Prevention 2023 Leadership for Health Equity. 

 

Norma E. Cantú (TX) – Has been awarded a Fulbright-Hays Senior Specialist Fellowship to Spain. She will be at the Universidad Complutense and the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares in April 2024.

 

Nereida Claudio (GA) – Launched a Spanish Financial Website at www.tumundofinanciero.com to help educate, inform, support, and share with the Spanish speaking community. The website is completely free with documents in Spanish that are downloadable for everyone. Nereida has 30 years of experience in banking, finance, credit, and counseling and created a resource for our under-resourced communities.

 

Nylda Dieppa (FL) – Nylda’s new book, ALBORADA (Dawn): A Memoir in Poetry, will be released on May 3, 2023.  She’s planning a great launch event that evening at the only Hispanic art museum in Florida, Museo de Arte Mundial, to celebrate.  All invited.

 

Olga Fernandez (CA) – Celebrates 25 years in business as Funeral Retail Store owner.  She helps families with low-cost services providing cemetery plots and niche for cremation; designing families monuments-headstones; Funeral Sympathy Flowers, Cremation Urns and Keepsake jewelry.

 

Maria Ferrer (NY) – was named Executive Director of Las Comadres Para Las Americas.  “I am honored and humbled,” says Maria, “at the confidence Nora and the Board of Directors have in me.  This is a labor of love for me, and it keeps me connected to Comadres worldwide.”

 

Estella Gonzalez (AZ) – The Pima County Public Library selected her as the 2023 Spring Writer-in-Residence.

 

Lila Guzman (TX) – Her story, “A Teachable Moment,” was published in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: ADVICE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE, Publication date: March 14, 2023.  This year is also the 20th anniversary of LORENZO’S REVOLUTIONARY QUEST, her young adult novel from Arte Publico Press. The novel tells the story of the first cattle drive in Texas history.

 

Yolanda R. Guzman (TX) – Accepted a new opportunity as the new Physician Liaison for Texas Oncology in the Rio Grande Valley.

 

Candy Ibarra (CA) – Her movie "My Daca Life", about a DACA Program recipient and her journey to reconnect with her heritage, has now been in three film festivals -- San Diego Film Festival, Immigrants Film Festival in Washington D.C. and Panafest (Panamanian Film Fest) in Los Angeles.  Candy is proud to tell the stories of the underrepresented people of color in our society.

 

Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa (NY) – Celebrated the February 11, 2023, launch of INDOMITA, the Spanish-edition of A WOMAN OF ENDURANCE to an SRO (standing room only!) crowd in Puerto Rico at La Esquina, a San Juan bookstore.

 

Imelda Rodriguez (IL) – Is proud to announce that her virtual book launch of LATINAS IN FINANCES was a tremendous success on January 19th, 2023. Published by Fig Factor Media, the book presents 18 Illinois-based authors who share their stories of how they built their careers while facing challenges and achieving success while working in various occupations. Imelda is the founder and main author of the book.  Others include business consultants, insurance brokers, tax professionals, financial coaches and real estate investors, attorneys, and agents. Book is available on Amazon. Learn more about the Latinas in Finance at www.latinasinfinances.com.

 

Tess Tobin (NJ)  –  Tess was promoted to Project Manager of Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club.  She is now in charge of book submissions, book selections and the monthly teleconferences.  "Tess has done a marvelous job on the Book Club and the Teleconferences these past two years," says Maria Ferrer, Director of the Book Club. "This promotion is well deserved!"

 

Maria de Lourdes Victoria (WA) – Published another book! Publiqué otro libro! LA GALLINA CLUECA DE JOSEFINA / JOSIE'S BROODY HEN, published by Daisy Press.  Her children’s book will be available on April 15th en versión Inglés and in Spanish.

 

 

#LasComadres

#Accomplishments

#LatinaPower

THE BEST GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY

 

BY ESPERANZA BELTRAN

 

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ¨- Phyllis Diller

 

 

What are your acts of kindness?

 

This was the question for our Comadres in this, the beginning of the holiday season. Not only did we receive many responses, but we also received this beautiful and inspirational message from Dr. Nogales, Secretary to the Board of Las Comadres Para Las Americas:

When we consider the vastness of our universe, our planet is incredibly minuscule. Nevertheless, we are all responsible for it. I strongly believe, given the circumstances of our tumultuous world, that our planet will survive because of love. Love is the ultimate cause and the most significant experience we can have as human beings. We survive infancy because of the love and kindness of a parent or caregiver. We look for love throughout our childhood and adulthood. Love is what keeps us together in our Comadre network. While love is a personal experience, I wish you much self-love. Be open to receive the love that is around you so that you do not just enjoy life but to plant the seed to let it grow for others too.

 

Comadres shared their acts of kindness, here are a few…

 

From Comadre Sylvia E. Klinger

Making breads and cookies for the elderly without families around to celebrate holidays with them. 

 

From Comadre Oralia Garcia

My brother is in his early 50s, married with 3 children.  For almost 2 years he has volunteered on a worldwide app to assist blind and visually impaired people.  He gets random video calls from all over the world. Sometimes someone just needs help picking the clothes to wear so colors don’t Clash. I will not mention the app since I understand you want this submission to be generic. My brother would never toot his own horn.  As a matter of fact I barely found out he was doing this.  My brother’s name is Paul Garcia from Harlingen Texas.  I have no doubt his bilingual skills double the calls he receives. 

 

From Comadre Monica Peňa

One day as I was standing in line at the local pharmacy, I realized the woman in front of me and the cashier were having difficulties communicating with each other. I helped translate, they finished their transaction, and after I checked out the woman and her father were near the front of the store. We quickly started a conversation as she thanked me for being so nice. Maria had just arrived in this country and was new to the area. Both her father and her explained they did not know too much English and this made things difficult.  I told her to pull out her phone where I gave her information about English classes and told her she would meet people there that felt the same way. Whenever possible, help with a smile so that people can feel more comfortable sharing their story. Then be a resource.

 

And here are a couple of interesting links with information on how giving helps our overall health and well being…

 

A Life Lesson From A Volunteer Firefighter

https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_bezos_a_life_lesson_from_a_volunteer_firefighter?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

 

How Generosity Changes Your Brain

https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/psychology-of-giving-to-charity

 

This post was first published in the Fall 2022 Comadres Connect! Newsletter.

COMADRE MARATHONER: INTERVIEW WITH LAS COMADRES PRESIDENT TERESA LARA

BY MARIA FERRER

 

Teresa Lara is President of Las Comadres Para Las Americas and a marathoner.  She’s completed six half-marathons, a few 10k runs, and this year she ran and finished her first full marathon.  Let’s hear how she prepares, learn about the agony of anticipation, how to carbo load, and how race is grace.

 

 Q: How did you prepare for this marathon? How long were you training?

TERESA:  I signed up on a whim when my friend Tanya said she was 'walking' it and that seemed doable. I walk/jog 5 miles daily before work and another 2-3 miles after work, which was my only training. I consider myself lucky for having completed it without injuries or soreness. If I were to do it again, I'd have walked/jogged 15 miles a couple of times before the marathon.

 

Q:Now that this marathon is over, are you training for the next one?

TERESA:  I am not (famous last words). The agony and anticipation the night before was worse than the actual marathon.  I didn't get much sleep and I was worried about oversleeping. Luckily, I had slept well the whole week, so the previous night's jitters didn't affect me much.

 

Q:  Is it true that you have to carbo load for a good run?  What is/was your favorite food during training and how often did you eat it?

TERESA:   Oh, my goodness. I carb loaded a few days prior not the night before from a learned experience from a previous run (one of the halfies I'd completed). Everyone's body is different, so practicing to see what your body responds to well is key. I learned that I cannot introduce any new foods, meal quantities, or clothing the week of the event and to just keep things normal and standard. As for the carb load, I treated myself to my favorite homemade cacio e pepe from a local restaurant, on Wednesday, before the race.

 

Q:  What do you enjoy about running?

TERESA:  It feels like I'm flying. I started off running one block, walking next, another block, walking the next, then it was two, three blocks...and it was out of joy and it felt good. My max is about 5 blocks at a time now. 

 

Q:  Please share your favorite fitness tips with us and how we can incorporate them during the holidays.  

TERESA:  My brother is an avid running/boxer.  He came down from San Jose to join me on my first half-marathon and that’s when he “coached” me to 'slow down', to save energy that will help me go longer. I thought he was kidding because I'm already a slow jogger, but I've been able to find a nice pace and rhythm for these longer runs.  I want to send the message that running is not a hustle bustle sport, but a graceful experience that is

achievable by anyone.  One doesn’t have to have an athlete body to start jogging or to finish a race.  It’s more achievable than we think, and the end result is so empowering.  I feel invincible.  My favorite words…Race is grace.

Congratulations to Teresa on her finishing her first full marathon. Hurrah!

 

Race is Grace.

 

This post first appeared in the Fall 2022 Comadres Connect! Newsletter.

 

 

YOGA AND SOUL: INTERVIEW WITH COMADRE JEANNIE DIAZ

 

BY JACQUELINE QUINONES

 

What inspired you to start Chair Yoga and Soul?

Jeannie: Part of what inspired me were the many yoga classes I attended that helped me to learn about body posture and alignment. From the many studios that I visited I found one where I felt comfortable. It was inclusive, diverse and they made me realize that size doesn’t matter when you are practicing yoga. This practice was a gateway to focusing on my body. It opened up my heart and I wanted to help others feel this way as well. The teacher there also encouraged me to take the teacher training.  What I teach is chair yoga which incorporates all of the same poses as regular yoga but a modified version.

 

How long have you been a Comadre?

Jeannie: I have been a Comadre since 2014, when I attended a meeting hosted at the Hispanic Federation. 

What do you like most about being a Comadre?

Jeannie: What is dear to my heart is the sense of sisterhood you feel and all the support you receive. If it wasn’t for Las Comadres I would not be doing my chair yoga classes. I started providing my Chair Yoga classes during the pandemic and Las Comadres gave me the opportunity to provide this service to their membership.

 

What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining Las Comadres?

Jeannie: If you are looking for a community of women Las Comadres is the group to join because they are so inspiring and offer so much encouragement. You don’t have to go to every meeting and they will still welcome you. They are there for you whenever you need them. Eventually you will be drawn to this group and commit to participate because of the culture of community they foster which is important.

 

What is a positive affirmation you live by?

Jeannie: It is Feel good, Do good. When you are in this line of business sometimes you forget to take care of yourself. I am the type of person that gives and gives and I needed to focus more on loving myself. So I started working with a life coach who helped to ground me and this was an affirmation that we came up with that helps to ground me. I also like  “What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.”- Buddha

What words come to your mind when you think about Hispanic Heritage Month?

Jeannie: Awareness and curiosity. This is the month when people ask about our culture. Everyone wants to be more aware of their ancestry. Now that I am older I am also asking more questions especially of my Dad who told me that his first job was making piraguas. He shared with me all of the jobs he had to do to save enough money to bring the family to NY.

 

What is your favorite fall holiday and why?

Jeannie: I have to say it is Thanksgiving. It’s a great tradition where family comes together shares food, music and reflects on what they are grateful for. It’s also sad because you think about those who don’t have family. All of my family is in Dominican Republic, but I have friends and colleagues who invite me and it's an opportunity for me to meet people and make new friends.

 

Power of the Mind --- what does this phrase mean to you?

Jeannie:  The biggest myth is that you need 30 minutes to do meditation. Even if you dedicate one minute it is your special moment. In that one minute you give yourself the opportunity to open your mind. It also reminds me of my first class of teacher training where they displayed a slide on the projector that contained the words “welcome to your mind”. It’s a beautiful thing. At the end of the day sometimes we forget to be kind to ourselves and the world around us.

 

 

Jeannie Diaz is a 200hr Yoga & Meditation teacher based in NYC. Her classes focus on breathwork, mindfulness, body positivity and are accessible to all.

Email: Jnamaste18@gmail.com Instagram: Jnamaste

Virtual classes are free/by donation - Chair Yoga 2x a week & Meditation Thursday evenings IRL private & group

Yoga classes- Sundays.

This post first appeared in the Fall 2022 Comadres Connect! Newsletter.

COMADRES CONNECT! NEWSLETTER -- SUMMER 2021 EDITION

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

Free monthly Speaker Series. For full descriptions, visit: http://lascomadres.com/lco/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

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

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!

SPOTLIGHT ON THE 2021 WWC SPONSORS & DONORS

FROM COMADRES CONNECT! NEWSLETTER - SUMMER EDITION

WORLDWIDE COMADRAZO 

SPONSORS & DONORS

We are grateful to all the Sponsors & Donors of the Worldwide Comadrazo & 

21st Anniversary Celebration. Thank you for making our event a success!

SPONSORS

PLATINUM

St. David’s Foundation

www.stdavidsfoundation.org

SILVER

MOLA Market Research

Gloria Williams

www.molaresearch.com

Mona’s Family Emporium

Mona Chavez

www.monasfamilyemporium.com

Primavera Strategic Planning

Adrienne Pulido

www.primaverastrategy.com

THE RESURRECTION OF FULGENIO RAMIREZ

https://www.blackstonepublishing.com/the-resurrection-of-fulgencio-ramirez-rudy-ruiz

BRONZE

The Arreaga Agency

Farmers Insurance

Liz & Becky Arreaga

www.thearreagaagency.com

Casa de la Familia Counseling

Ana Nogales

www.casadelafamilia.org

CasaQ by Darlene

Darlene Tenes

www.casaqbydarlene.com

DonateWay

Belinda Perez

www.Donateway.com

KCasati

Josefina Casati

www.kitcasati.com

MUNDU Media

Monica Peňa

www.mundumedia.com

Pikitin Learning Projects

Rita Rosa Ruesga

https://pikitin.com/

Positive Directions Co.

Aliana Apodaca

www.positivedirectionsco.com

Ramos Admin, LLC

Cynthia Ramos

www.ramosllc.com

DONORS

Cancer Tamer, Inc.

Dr. Charley Ferrer

www.CancerTamer.org

Celesty Beauty Care

Rosana Colon

https://rosana.celesty.com

The Crafty Chica

Kathy Cano-Murillo

www.craftychica.com

Designs by Jori

Jorivette Carrington

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsbyJori

Geekettes Chat

Christy & Shirley Yanis

https://www.youtube.com/c/GeekettesChat

Hernán, LLC

Isela Hernandez

www.hernanmexico.com

Jacqueline Quiňones

Recuerdos Boricua

Karla & Co.

www.karlaandco.com

Las Comadres & Friends

National Latino Book Club

www.latinolit.com

La Sirena

Dina Leor

www.lasirenanyc.com

Laura López Cano

https://iuplr.org/artist/laura-lopez-cano/

League of Kitchens

Instructor & Comadre Mirta Rinaldi

www.leagueofkitchens.com

Maria de Socorro Fashions

Maria Cardes

www.mariadesocorro.com

Rosa Beato

Boston Comadres Network

Saviana Arts

Sara Morales &

Vivian Lipman-Denis

www.savianaarts.com

Sol y Canto

Rosi and Brian Amador

www.solycanto.com

Think Happy Media

Nydia Marsella

www.thinkhappymedia.com

COMADRES CONNECT!

 

COMADRES CONNECT! NEWSLETTER

LAS COMADRES PARA LAS AMERICAS

is proud to announce the launch of its quarterly newsletter.

COMADRES CONNECT!  ...   SPRING EDITION

SPOTLIGHT ON COMADRE 

LAURA LOPEZ CANO
Written by Esperanza Beltran


Relaxed Atmosphere & Lots of Trust

It was an invitation from a friend that brought Laura López Cano to one of the first Comadrazos in Austin, Texas. There she met Nora de Hoyos Comstock, Las Comadres Founder, whom she later found out had been navigating in the same professional circles as herself, but neither of them knew about the other until then. The Comadrazo was such a beautiful example of what Las Comadres does: bring women together to connect.

At the Comadrazos, women are allowed to get together without pressure, says Laura. You can talk about the kids, the weather and recipes in a relaxed atmosphere where professional titles don’t matter.

She learned a lot about trust too. Women opened their homes to women they did not know, and women went to the homes of strangers. There was trust on both sides, and trust was easy when they all desire the same thing, to connect. Las Comadres biggest accomplishment, says Laura, is to have created this community of women before the rise of social media.

When she was commissioned by Nora to create the logo for Las Comadres, Laura made sure to convey, through her artwork, the vision that Nora had for the organization – a community of women connecting with each other. The word Comadrazo comes from the combination of the words Comadre + Abrazo, which is why she painted the now famous logo of women hugging each other. (The original logo had four women, we now have five.) Another interesting touch that Laura made sure to include was the variety in skin tones, hair colors and textures. Las Latinas somos as unique and varied as the world, and it was important for Laura to emphasize that in the painting of the Las Comadres logo.

Laura López Cano is a long-time Comadre and artist living in Texas. She will be holding an Art workshop during the Worldwide Comadrazo on April 17.

FRIENDS, COMADRES & A WEDDING
By Jacqueline Quiňones


Edith Reyes and Julia Abrantes have been friends for 20 years. They are also Comadres in more ways than one.

Edith and Julia met while they both lived in New York City. Edith moved to San Antonio, where she joined Las Comadres. When Julia was looking for a book club, Edith recommended the New York City "branch" of the Las Comadres & Friends Book Club, and soon Julia too was a Comadre and helping run the book club. Eighteen years later, the two are still Best Friends and still Comadres in their respective states – Edith in Texas; Julia in Georgia.

They have not seen each other in person in the past four years, but they speak practically every day. They have always been there for each other’s ups and downs, and especially last year when Edith had to cancel her wedding due to Covid-19. However, life goes on, and the wedding is back on.

The two Comadres are excited about seeing each other at the wedding not only because they are reuniting, but also because Julia will be officiating the wedding!

For Julia it is the biggest honor of her life. Edith said it was not a difficult decision to make, because she knows that Julia will make the wedding ceremony special and spiritual just as she wants it even during this pandemic. 

 

When asked what it means for Edith to have Julia officiate her wedding she said, “People will think I am crying because I am getting married, but it’s also because my best friend is marrying me. This is important for me. It is very touching that Julia will be with me on this special day in my life.”

On Saturday, February 27, despite a pandemic and mandatory social distancing, Julia Abrantes officiated at the wedding of Edith Reyes and Edward Vela. Mr. & Mrs. & Comadres forever.



WORLDWIDE COMADRAZO & 21st ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Sisterhood & Fierce Friendships


SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 17
1pm EST / 12pm CT / 11am MT / 10am PT

Las Comadres turns 21 this year and we are celebrating with a virtual Worldwide Comadrazo & Anniversary Celebration.  There will be speakers, breakouts, a film, a sing-a-long and raffle prizes! Check out the agenda here: http://lascomadres.com/lco/2021-worldwide-comadrazo/agenda

Plus, we are introducing The Nora Awards for Comadres who exemplify the virtues of Loyalty, Generosity, Sisterhood & Kindness.

We are collecting Testimonials and photos from past meetings, book clubs, and Worldwide Comadrazos. Email us by March 20 copies of your photos and your testimonial about being a Comadre to info@lascomadres.com.

Buy the official WWC t-shirt, send us a selfie & you can be part of the slideshow. https://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsbyJori

Registration opened March 8.  We’ll see you there!


EVENT CALENDAR

March 18 (Thurs) – Las Comadres University: Fundraising
March 29 (Mon) – Book Club Teleconference / Podcast
March 31 (Wed) – Las Comadres Speaker Series

April 17 (Sat) – Worldwide Comadrazo & 21st Anniversary Celebration
April 26 (Mon) – Book Club Teleconference / Podcast
April 28 (Wed) – Las Comadres Speaker Series

May 24 (Mon) – Book Club Teleconference / Podcast
May 26 (Wed) – Las Comadres Speaker Series


LAS COMADRES UNIVERSITY

March 18 (Thursday)
Basic Components of Fundraising: 

Programs for Nonprofits and Higher Education Institutions
Dr. Celeste Guzmán Mendoza

Fee = $65. Register here: http://lascomadres.com/lco/comadre-university/fundraising


LAS COMADRES SPEAKER SERIES

Las Comadres has a monthly virtual Speaker Series. It’s FREE to all Comadres. For full descriptions, visit: http://lascomadres.com/lco/speaker-series

March 31 (Wednesday)
Establishing Powerful Networks and Collaborations Among Latinas
Dr. Isaura González
Founder & CEO Latina Mastermind

April 28 (Wednesday)
Women & Finance: 

Create Financial Independence
Monica Escobar Rangel & 

Monica Martinez-Hess
Financial Services Professionals

                                                          New York Life

May 26 (Wednesday)
Raising Bilingual and Multicultural Children
Maritere R. Bellas
Parenting Topic Expert & Advocate for Bilingualism & Multiculturalism


LAS COMADRES & FRIENDS BOOK CLUB


MARCH BOOKS
Meet the Authors on Monday, March 29

Book of the Month: THE CIPHER 

by Isabella Maldonado (Amazon Publishing)

Conversations with Book: SPIRIT RUN
by Noe Alvarez (Catapult)


APRIL BOOKS
Meet the Authors on Monday, April 26

Book of the Month: FRACTURES by Carlos Andrės Gómez (U of Wisconsin Press)

Conversations with Book: THE LOST BOOK OF ADANA MOREAU by Michael Zapata (HarperCollins)

Bonus Book: A SLED FOR GABO by Emma Otheguy (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)


For Free Registration to monthly Teleconference /Podcast, visit here: http://lascomadres.com/latinolit/join-teleconference

Find a book club near you in your time zone, visit here: https://readlatinolit.blogspot.com/2020/12/las-comadres-friends-book-club-by-time.html

Shop our Book Club Bookshop here: https://bookshop.org/shop/lascomadresbookclub


NEWSLETTER STAFF
Comadres Connect!  Quarterly Newsletter for and by Las Comadres Para Las Americas.

Editor: Maria Ferrer

Contributing Writers: Esperanza Beltran
                                   Jacqueline Quiňones

Proofreader: Rosa Beato


If you would like to be interviewed for the newsletter, email us at info@lascomadres.com.