Friday the 13th…A day of many blessings!
When you are raised with a strong spiritual foundation (not to be confused for superstition) Friday the 13th is a day of cleansing of any stagnant energy, both physical and emotional. Floors are swept, candles lit, and sweet sage is burned to calm the home and ensure blessings are received. These things were a typical aspect of my childhood. On Friday April 13th 2012 after a quiet morning of café con leche, deep breathing, and heartfelt prayers whispered into clear water to thank my ancestors, I became a recipient of the 2012 “Mujeres Destacadas Award” a recognition given annually by El Diario La Prensa to the most outstanding women in our community.
As an honoree, I was in the company of some of the Tri-state area’s most successful and influential Latinas in the corporate, business, entertainment, sports and community arenas. The celebration was held at the posh Mandarin Oriental Hotel where I had the pleasure of chatting with Amando Serrana, a female boxer, Marcela Bravo, a probation officer officer, Soledad Hiciano, executive director of the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans, Wilda Diaz, the mayor of Perth Amboy, Diana Castro, account manager for HBO, and Luisa Escalera, designer and special education teacher among many other successful women.
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Honorees, both past and present, mingled, networked and enjoyed the inspiring words of Rossana Rosado, publisher and CEO of El Diario La Prensa.
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El Diario also honored several young ladies with scholarship awards and the title of Señoritas De Nuestro Futuro.
This award means a great deal to me because as a child my parents would read El Diario aloud to me to encourage retention of my first language as I became fluent in English. El Diario was a family staple that kept my parents connected to current events in a homeland where they were first generation immigrants.
Not bad for this former teen mom!
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Wilda Diaz. Wow, I used to work in her town, and in New Brunswick, for the Puerto Rican Action Board. How amazing that you were honored alongside her.
You may wish to add to your readings list the fact that you will be part of Lincoln Center Out Of Doors’ La Casita festival, held in Lincoln Center and Pregones Theater, August 11th and 12th. 😉 But ya know. One mountaintop at a time, right?
Pa’lante, mi’ja. Very proud of you.
R.