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! 

    

LAS COMADRES FACILITATORS RECOGNIZED AT 2023 WORLDWIDE COMADRAZO

 

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

Saturday, April 29, 2023

RECOGNITION OF

LAS COMADRES FACILITATORS

Networks & Book Clubs

Las Comadres Para Las Americas really would not exist without the tremendous support that is provided by our city network facilitators. Without all the approximately 15,000 Comadres out there, who host and attend comadrazos, read and send us email, and participate in our activities, we would not exist. But without the facilitators who keep the city networks going, there would be no real organization AND because we cannot say thank you enough times.

From the beginning (2000) to today.our Network Facilitators…

Lourdes Abadin, Julia Abrantes, Dora Maria Abreu, Cristina Abreu, Patricia Aguilar, Gladys Alaya-Borjas, Ofelia Allen, Aurora Anaya-Cerda, Amanda Arizola, Annabelle Arteaga, Ph.D., Maria Avelino, Cristina Balli, Natasha Bannan, Sunny Banuelos, Melinda Barrera, Rosa Beato, Rocio Benedicto, Ph.D., Sylvia Benitez, Mari Bellas, Debbie Bonilla, Margie Brickey, Patricia Briotta, Millie Brookins, Gabriela Bucio, Ada Gabriela Bueno Pulliam, Elizabeth Canali, Mary Champion, Maria Cardes, Catherine Cardoso, Gloria Casas, Karina Castano-Tognetti, Cielo Castro, Camila Ceballos, Rosa Celis-Rodriguez, Loretta Charles, Denise Chavez, Janis Chavez, Lilian Chavez, Mary Champion, Frances Colon, Alejandra Cossio, Rose Costas, Lori Crouch, Ana Arelys Cruz, Carmen Cruz, Silvia Cruzo, Sylvia E. Camacho, Elizabeth Cofrancesco, Nori Cuellar Mora, Ph.D., Lilli de Cair, Amelia de Jesus, Raquel de Guzman, Patricia de Limon Rodriguez, Linda de la Cruz, Alicia Dorn, Nora Diaz, Nylda Dieppa, Diana Dizdarvich, Ph.D., Rosalba Dominguez, Yolanda Durant, Diana Flores, Stephanie Elizondo Griest, Kika Elkind, Clara Engel, Yolanda Escandon, Araceli Esparza, Fern Espino, Ph.D., Estrella de Leon, Jocelyn Feliciano, Charley Ferrer, Ph.D., Dora Flores, Maria Ferrer, Amira Flores, Ariana Flores, Stella Flores, Ph.D., Claudia Fuentes, Christy Garcia Martinez, Dalilah Garcia, Edna Garcia, Elizabeth Garcia (deceased), Viky Garcia, Christy Garcia Martinez, Bobbie Garza-Hernandez, Susan Garretson, San Juanita Godufsky, Vickie Gomez, Karen Gonzales, Adriana Gonzalez, Ana Gonzalez, Christine Gonzalez, Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor, Kristin Graham Chavez, Veronica Guerra, Mirtha Gutierrez Perez, Yolanda Guzman, Isela Hernandez, Yolanda Hernandez (deceased), Linda Hernandez, Ana Hershberger, Monica Martinez Hess, Alicia Higgins, Marcela Hincapie, Angela Hope, Ruby Hurtado, Irma Gonzalez, Karla Jaramillo, Helen Jimenez Ulloa, Adriana Jimenez, Edy Johnson, Nancy Johnson, Margie Kensit, Demetra Koelling, Adela Kowalski-Garza, Cindy Landez, Teresa Lara, Isabel Lemus, Diana Leon, Bibi Lobo (deceased) , Isabel Londono, Diana Lopez, Connie Lopez, Diana Lopez, Diana Lopez Axthelm, Laura Lopez Cano, Adriana Lopez, Cynthia Lopez, Raquel Lynch, Lori Maes, Teresa Magana, Miriam Molina, Kim Montoya, Lolita Mancheno-Smoak, Nydia Marsella, Angela Martin, Araceli Martinez-Rose, Erica Martinez, Raquel Martinez, Sylvia A. Martinez, Addy Perez Mau, Yvette Mayo, Angelica Mena, Martha Medina, Jackie Melendez, Jacqueline Mendez, Maria Angelica Mendoza, Bernice Miera, Beatriz Mieses, Nuria Miller, Elizabeth Moncevais, Carmen Montanez, Maria Montenegro, Ana Morales, Marilyn Moya, Melissa Najera, Kathy Natalizio, Ana Nogales, Ph.D., Ydalmi Noriega, Gina Nunez-Mchiri, Ph.D., Virginia Ornelas, Angeles Ortega, Alma Ortega Johnson, Jasminie Jina Ortiz, Clara Ospina, Melinda Palacio, Carmen Paniagua, Audrey Ponzio, Elsa Prado, Addy Perez Mau, Maribel Perez Tur, Sandra Perez, Pilar Martinez Karner, Michele Ping, Teresa Preciado, Laura Quesada, Viviana Quesada, Shelly Quintana, Carmen Quiles, Elena Ramos, Nimia Ramos Beauchamp, Rita Rosa Resgua, Evelyn Reyes, Marielis Rivera, Francis Robles, Imelda Rocha, Edna Rodriguez, Janet Rodriguez, Monica Rangel, Veronica Rivera, Monica Rodriguez, Sandra Rodriguez Barron, Maria Rojo, Laura Rolandelli, Araminta Romero, Ana Cecilia Rosado, Leydon Rovelo, Sally Ruiz, Lupita Saenz Eckoff, Ruth Saenz (deceased), Jayni Saenz, Rachael Saldivar, Jennifer Sanchez, Ana, Saucedo, Terry Saucedo, Sandra Shafi, Dyannette Siaca, Miriam Silva, Patricia Sosa, Christine Soto, Teresa Speake, Rebeca Summers, Angela Sustaita-Ruiz, Ana Sweeney, Michelle Talan, Caprice Taylor Mendez, Darlene Tenes, Lourdes Tinajero, Sandra Thompson, Sandra Torres, Lisa Torres Stonebeck, Dora Tovar, Gloria Uribe, Josie Valdez, Laura Valdez Karam, Melody Vela, Angela Valdivia, BB Vasquez, Palmira Vasquez Ginsberg, Ofelia Vasquez-Philo (deceased), Kathy Vega, Melody Vela, Josie Valdez, Diana Velasquez, Myrna Velez, Gloria Williams, Patricia Windon, Alejandra Zavala, and Andrea Zorbas.

Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club Facilitators are so special! Thank you for making this dream a reality and keeping it going…

Julia Abrantes, Dora A. Abreu, Marissa Alcorta, Blanca Alvarado, Ph.D., Julia Amante, Amanda Arizola, Aurora Anaya-Cerda, Maria Betancourt, Luz Betancourt, Nohelia Canales, Catalina Cantu, Teresa Carbajal Ravet, Leslie Colon-Lebron, Erika Cordova, Lori Crouch, Yolanda Cuesta, Martha Curcio, Karin Davalos, Laura De Anda, Lilli De Cair, Nora Diaz, Laura Esparza, Magdalena (Magda) Lopez Eustace, Maria Ferrer, Adriana Frias, Lydia Galvan, Cristina Glez Novoa, Denise Goetter, Karen Gonzales, Gabriela Gonzalez, Sylvia Hernandez Kauffman, Gabriela Huesca, Demetra Koelling, Mary Lopez, Liana Lopez, Jackie Macias, Teresa Magaña, Araceli Martinez-Rose, Linda Mazon Gutierrez, Raiza Mendoza, Sylvia Mendoza, Edith Reyes, Carmenza Millan, Kim Montoya, Ydalmi Noriega, Anna Nunez, Carmen Orozco-Acosta, Nicole Ortiz, Pam Portillo, Cynthia Ramos, Nimia Ramos Beauchamp, Gayle Rana, Leyden Revelo, Lara Rios, Frances Robles, Lois Rodriguez, Vanessa Rodriguez, Lissette Rodriguez, Silvia Sofia San Miguel, Jennifer Sanchez, Maria Solis, Judith Solis, Ana Sweeney, Michelle Talan, Amy Tannenbaum, Tess Tobin, Rachael Torres, Lisa Trevino, Nissheneyra Urizandi, Delila Vasquez, Ada Vilageliu Diaz, Anne Warman, Martha Weeks, Gloria Williams, and Alma Willard.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29 -- 2023 WORLDWIDE COMADRAZO WITH SPECIAL GUEST DOLORES HUERTA AND KEYNOTE SPEAKER DR. MONICA MUNOZ MARTINEZ

 

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

Saturday, April 29, 2023

 

 

 

Las Comadres Para Las Americas is holding it's biannual WORLDWIDE COMADRAZO on Saturday, April 29.  This is a gathering of Comadres from all over the world to share and discuss Sisterhood and Community.

 

  

SPECIAL GUEST:   DOLORES HUERTA

 

Dolores Huerta is a celebrated Latina labor leader, activist, and community organizer. She has worked for civil rights and social justice for over 50 years. In 1962, she and Cesar Chavez founded the United Farm Workers Union. Today she is the President and Founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. Among her many awards is Mexico's Order of the Aztec Eagle Award - the highest decoration awarded by the Mexican Government to foreign nationals. Dolores was also the first Latina inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

NEW!   KEYNOTE SPEAKER:   DR. MONICA MUŇOZ MARTINEZ

 

Dr. Monica Muñoz Martinez is an Associate Professor of History at The University of Texas at Austin. Her book, THE INJUSTICE NEVER LEAVES YOU: Anti-Mexican Violence in Texas received six book awards. Monica co-founded the award-winning project "Refusing to Forget" and helped to secure four state historical markers commemorating the history of anti-Mexican violence. She is a 2021 MacArthur Foundation Fellow and in 2023, Monica was named a national honoree for Woman of the Year by USA Today.

THE NORA AWARDS

We will announce award recipients for Comadre of the Year, Comadre Community Service 

and Friend of Las Comadres.

Art work for Las Comadres and Worldwide Comadrazo logos created by Laura Lopez Cano.

========================================== 

 

SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSOR OF THE 2023 WORLDWIDE COMADRAZO – RUDY RUIZ

 

 

SILVER SPONSORS

EGBI    *    INCLUSION INSTITUTE+   *   LATINX IN PUBLISHING   *   ADRIENNE PULIDO

 

BRONZE SPONSORS

Athena Silversmith * Bilingual Communication Strategies * Josefina Casati * 

Con Todo Press * Creative Alliance Communications * CryptoConexión 

Grace Flores-Hughes * Lucero Photography * Minero 

MOLA Market Research * Deborah Nevarez-Vivolo 

Yleana Martínez Modern Jewelry Design

2023 NORA AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

 

                               

 

Las Comadres Para Las Americas is pleased to announce the Finalists of The Nora Awards.   Winners will be announced on Saturday, April 29, at the virtual Worldwide Comadrazo.   

The Nora Awards, named in honor of our National / International Founder Dr. Nora de Hoyos Comstock, recognize Comadres who exemplify the virtues of Loyalty, Generosity, Community, Sisterhood and Kindness.  The Finalists were nominated by their fellow Comadres.

 

The Comadre of the Year award goes to a Comadre who has helped other Comadres.  The Finalists are:

Gladys Ayala Borjas (NY)

Gloria Chavez Casas (TX)

Dorinda Moreno (CA)

Yolanda Nava (CA)

 

 

The Comadre Community Service award goes to a Comadre who has helped her community.  The Finalists are:

Ysabella Hincapie-Gara (NY)

Venus Piňeyro (TX)

Darlene Tenes (CA)

Judith Torrea (Mexico)

 

The Friend of Las Comadres award goes to a company that continually supports Las Comadres Para Las Americas. This winner is chosen by the Board of Directors.

 

 

Congratulations to all the Finalists.

#WWC23

#WorldwideComadrazo

#NoraAwards

#LasComadres

LAS COMADRES CALENDAR OF EVENTS -- MARCH & APRIL 2023

All Comadres welcome.  We will update this Calendar the first of each month.  

All events via zoom.  Check your time zones. 

Links will be emailed to all Comadres and registrants. 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

MARCH 2023

March 1 (Wed) -- Las Comadres & Friends Book Club announces March books

The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras

River Woman, River Demon by Jennifer Givhan

March 1 (Wed) -- El Club del Libro holds its Spring Book Club meeting, 5pm PT

Flor de un Arbol by Carolina A. Herrera 

March 15 (Wed) -- Central Coast Regional Comadrazo

March 18 (Sat)  -- Pacific Coast Reginal Comadrazo

March 27 (Mon) -- Las Comadres & Friends Book Club Teleconference, 8pm ET

              Live interviews with authors Ingrid Rojas Contreras and Jennifer Givhan

APRIL 2023

April 3 (Mon) -- Las Comadres & Friends Book Club announces April books

Cenizas: Poems by Cynthia Guardado

Valley of Shadows by Rudy Ruiz

God Is Just Like Me by Karen Valentin

April 24 (Mon) -- Las Comadres & Friends Book Club Teleconference, 8pm ET

              Live interviews with authors Cynthia Guardado, Rudy Ruiz and Karen Valentin

April 29 (Sat) -- WORLDWIDE COMADRAZO 2023, 1pm CT

SPECIAL GUEST: DOLORES HUERTA

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:   DR. MONICA MUŇOZ MARTINEZ

THE NORA AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

For Last month's activities, click here:

  https://comadresconnect.blogspot.com/2022/12/las-comadres-calendar-of-events-january.html 

NOT A COMADRE? 

Join for free here:  https://lascomadres.com/lco/join-las-comadres/

 www.lascomadres.com

CALL FOR ARTISTS: LAS COMADRES WORLDWIDE COMADRAZO 2023

 

                    CALL FOR ARTISTS

Las Comadres Worldwide Comadrazo 2023

Sisterhood and Community:  Hear Us. See Us. Join Us.

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Deadline:  September 30, 2022

 

 

Las Comadres Para Las Americas is pleased to announce the open call for its Worldwide Comadrazo 2023.  Our theme:  Sisterhood and Community:  Hear Us. See Us. Join Us.

 

ELEMENTS:   All art must include the five Comadres, the Las Comadres Para Las Americas name and 2023 Theme.  The font must be Papyrus.  All printed art forms welcomed -- a drawing, painting, mixed media, et al.   

 

DEADLINE:  Friday, September 30, 2022.   

 

PRIZE:  US $100.00 and featured in Las Comadres newsletter and listed in WWC23 program book.

 

NOTE:  All artists are welcome to submit their artwork, whether or not they are members of Las Comadres.  The winning design will become property of the Las Comadres Para Las Americas and will be copyrighted as such, giving full art credit to the artist.  Winning design will be used on the WWC23 program book, social media promotions, tshirts, etc.  Artist will not receive any monies except the prize listed.

 

If you have any questions, email us here:  info@lascomadres.com

 

To participate, click here:  https://forms.gle/MpaiiFSoKsn7wS2aA

 

Thank you for your support of Las Comadres Para Las Americas.

  

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!

 

SPOTLIGHT: 2021 NORA AWARD WINNERS

FROM COMADRES CONNECT! NEWSLETTER - SUMMER EDITION

 THE NORA AWARDS

 

Named in honor of DR. NORA DE HOYOS COMSTOCK, The Nora Awards recognizes Comadres who exemplify the virtues of Loyalty, Generosity, Sisterhood and Kindness. Winners were nominated by their fellow Comadres. The Friend of Las Comadres award recipient was chosen for its continual support of Las Comadres over the past 21 years. Awards were presented during the Worldwide Comadrazo 2021.

 

WINNERS

 

COMADRES OF THE YEAR – Yadhira González-Taylor

COMADRE COMMUNITY SERVICE – Dr. Charley Ferrer

FRIEND OF LAS COMADRES – Austin Community Foundation

 

SPOTLIGHT ON YADHIRA GONZALEZ-TAYLOR

COMADRE OF THE YEAR

By Jacqueline Quiňones

Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor admits to being “floored” at winning the Comadre of the Year award.  She joined Las Comadres after attending the 2014 Writers Conference in Brooklyn.  She was already a self-published children’s books author, but this was her first conference.  She met dozens of fellow writers, including Esmeralda Santiago her idol.  Yadhira was also inspired by Las Comadres’ leader, Dr. Nora de Hoyos Comstock.

“Nora seemed to grab the entire room, the entire world, and give them a hug,” says Yadhira. They stayed in touch after the conference, and soon Yadhira was a member of Las Comadres.  She started the Bronx Comadres Network, which met on Saturdays at the local library, but is currently on hiatus.

Yadhira found the Worldwide Comadrazo & 21^st Anniversary Celebration inspirational, especially since the keynote speaker was The Honorable Nellie Gorbea, Rhode Island’s Secretary of State and long-standing Comadre.  Secretary Gorbea’s speech about her struggle as a grassroots underdog resonated with Yadhira, as she too is running for office -- Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Bronx County in the 2nd Municipal Court District. Yadhira didn’t ever plan on being a lawyer.  As a childhood abuse survivor, she wanted to be a police officer, instead, she joined the army and afterward became a prosecutor.  

“Hearing Comadre Nellie’s story,” states Yadhira, “energized me and made me feel like anything is possible.” She is embracing her win as Comadre of the Year and looking forward to serving her community… on the bench or not.

Learn more about Comadre of the Year Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor at www.ygt4bronxjudge.com.

 

 

SPOTLIGHT ON DOCTOR CHARLEY FERRER

COMADRE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER

By Esperanza Beltran

Congratulations to Dr. Charley Ferrer who won a Nora Award for Community Service! She is the woman behind the Cancer Tamer Organization and a fellow New York Comadre.

Through CancerTamer, Dr. Charley provides endless support for women, and men, with breast cancer. There are many ways in which her organization uses knowledge and creativity to help Breast Cancer patients, past and present, a TV show, a crochet club, books, theatre plays, and peer-to-peer counseling, just to name a few.

Dr. Charley’s CancerTamer organization is different in that they help women be at peace with their bodies, a message that is opposite to the mainstream. Where women were accustomed to hearing messages of fighting and war-like attitudes, Dr. Charley has come in and delivered a message of peace and understanding. Thanks to Cancer Tamer, there is a new message of hope for her fellow New Yorkers and beyond.

Of the many awards she has received for her work, the Nora Award is the most meaningful, she said, as she held up her rose-engraved glass.

Thank you, Dr. Charley Ferrer, for your amazing work!

Learn more about Dr. Charley and CancerTamer at www.cancertamer.org.

 

FRIEND OF LAS COMADRES AWARD RECIPIENT - AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 

INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN BARONA

ACF Donor Relations Officer

By Rosa Beato

 

How do you feel being the first company to be chosen for the Nora Award for Friend of Las Comadres?

Jonathan Barona:   Very excited! I’ve known Nora for five years. I have been involved with Las Comadres long before that. Nora is so connected and involved with the community through its development and transformation. ACF was just excited to get nominated, but more importantly we continue supporting projects from Las Comadres in any way we can.

What is the Austin Community Foundation?

The Austin Community Foundation was established in 1977 as a place to connect with the community and engage in philanthropy.  ACF works closely with county and state representatives, but its focused is on supporting the local community.

 What services does ACF offer to the community?

ACF does philanthropy. We’ve created a fund that offers grants to local community non-profit organizations, who offer direct services or have a direct need.

How do you do Outreach?

The Foundation is well-established, well-connected, and respected. Many seek us out for funding. We share community information and resources via social media. 

Do you do any collaboration with colleges and universities?

We manage about 130 scholarships funds, which is a major way for student to get funding.  We also do grant making for organizations supporting education.

How has COVID affect the organization?

So much of what the ACF does is relationship based. We found that whenever there’s a crisis, the community steps up. The lack of face-to-face has been difficult, but our donors have stepped up.

What message do you have for the community?

Marketing is about people, it’s about relationship building.  We encourage everyone to make personal connections, and to reach out to other communities, foundations, and local organizations.

Any recommendations and parting words for Las Comadres?

There’s no one way to get involved.  There are lots of ways to make an impact and help the community.  Find an area or skills that you are passionate about and give back to the community; support the community in that way.  Figure out what you like.  We are excited to see what’s next and where you grow.  Las Comadres’ power is the relationship, mutual support and el cariňo that you have towards each other.  That needs to be the key element of Las Comadres even as you continue to grow.  Having those relationships and love is what is inspiring about Las Comadres.  What really is impactful is that you are building those relationships amongst Latinas.

 

For about the Nora Awards or about Las Comadres,

Visit us at www.lascomadres.com.