NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF PUERTO RICAN WOMEN-SoCal
NUESTRAS VOCES
PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE AND RIGHTS THROUGH MENTORSHIP AND LEADERSHIP FOR A BETTER TOMORROW
WHO WE ARE
NACOPRW is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization seeking to promote the full participation of Puerto Rican and other Hispanic women in the social, economic and political life in the United States. The Southern California Chapter (SoCal) achieves this by educating, developing leadership among Puerto Rican women and providing role models for our youth and our community
NACOPRW-SoCal celebrates what unites all of us: our love and respect for Puerto Rico, its traditions and people
BOARD MEMBERS:
GLORIA SAN MIGUEL, MBA, PRESIDENT
MARJORIE PATTON, MS, CPC, ELI-MP 1ST VICE PRES.
NILSA J. THORSOS, PH.D., 2ND VICE PRESIDENT
SONIA COLÓN-LAMAS, BA, AFIP, TREASURER
MARIE NUBIA FELICIANO, PH D , SECRETARY
For more information about our chapter, membership or donations visit us at:
www.nacoprwsocal.org
Editorial - Entre Nosotras
PRESENTING OUR EDITORS FOR THIS ISSUE: & VOL 2, AUGUST 2024
Dear Members,
As the summer months escape us and we enter the fall season, we think about the fact that half the year has gone by! We also have a chance to reflect on our exciting start to this year and what we accomplished so far with our NACOPRW SoCal activities, as well as the chance to continue our plans for fall and winter events We started the year with a campaign for new members that helped us increase our membership from as far as San Diego to Los Angeles, and Orange to Riverside Counties We couldn't be happier Increasing membership ensures more support for our programs and enhances participation in committees and during events and activities
In this issue, you will read about our exciting travels, from the closeness of a visit to the Afro-Latino Culture Fest in Los Angeles to the fun article on Turisteando in Ciales, Puerto Rico, to spur your interest in the next visit to La Isla del Encanto Also in this issue is a report and beautiful pictures of the outstanding domino tournament in Mission Viejo that was a part of our scholarship fundraising campaign coordinated by our President, Gloria San Miguel, and Treasurer, Sonia Lamas, with the help of a hardworking committee Similarly, you will hear an update on this year ’ s NACOPRW SoCal Scholarship to support higher education for Puerto Rican and Latina women This is also a difficult committee process headed by our 1st Vice President, Marjorie Patton, and Secretary, Marie Nubia Feliciano
Other exciting articles in this issue share stories about our participation in the San Diego House of Puerto Rico sponsored visit to the Padres vs the Yankees game in Petco Park, as well as our continued support of their book clubs and programs In her articles, Milly C Lugo-Ríos helps us connect to our roots using a genealogy app from the Society of Puerto Rican Geneology and current literature highlighting some of our experiences in the diaspora While we proudly celebrate our featured member Marian Hurtado and the naming of a school after Sonia Sotomayor, we also sadly mourn the loss of one of our greatest singer-songwriters and author, Antonio Cabán Vale, “El Topo” and the passing of the great Puerto Rican Golfer, Chi-Chi Rodriguez Last but not least, we tap your heart and hunger strings and ask you to help us launch NACOPRW SoCal's first cookbook, Cocina Boricua
Once the falls sets in, we hope to see your names and faces in our next issue of Nuestras Voces as we gear up for our signature coquito making workshop, and our holiday events and chapter activities
Enjoy this issue, and let us know what other topics you would like us to include in the future!
Un abrazo cordial Boricua, Nilsa and Anaida
Dr. Anaida Colón Muñiz
Dr. Nilsa J. Thorsos
By Gloria San Miguel
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Marian Hurtado
NACOPRW SoCal is featuring a very dedicated and active member of our chapter on this issue: Marian Hurtado. Since joining in March 2023, Marian has been an essential part of our Events Committee. You may recognize her from our events, as she's often seen capturing beautiful moments with her camera on the red carpet and beyond. Photography is one of her passions; her professional skills shine through in her work.
Marian was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to Puerto Rico at age 2, where she spent most of her life in the Rio Piedras area. In 1983, Marian married Jeffrey Nicholas, and they had two boys, Jeffrey and Victor. Due to Jeffrey’s work, the family relocated to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, where Marian pursued a degree in nursing at the University of the Virgin Islands and worked as an immunization nurse for the Health Department. Following another work transfer for Jeffrey, Marian and her family moved to Southern California in July 2005. In Orange County, Marian dedicated 16 years of service as a nurse at the OC Healthcare Agency, Pulmonary Disease Services (TB Clinic) until her retirement in March 2023. With retirement, Marian is embarking on a new chapter in professional photography. Her hobby and passion for photography, nurtured during travels with Jeffrey in their camper van, has evolved into Marian Hurtado Photography, specializing in baby and family portraits and professional headshots.
Marian holds cherished memories of Puerto Rico, including the traditions (parranda being her favorite), delectable food, and the love of family and friends. She makes it a point to visit Puerto Rico regularly to stay connected with loved ones. Marian finds immense satisfaction in volunteering at NACOPRW SoCal, supporting its mission of mentoring young women and raising scholarship funds.
Thank you, Marian, for your invaluable contributions to our organization. We are truly fortunate to have you!
Interested in joining NACOPRW-SoCal? Go to www.nacoprwsocal.org/membership and complete & send us your application to nacoprwsocal98@gmail.com
Callingallboricua chefs
EL FOGÓN
BORICUA
Callingallboricua chefs
Cocina Boricua: Connecting to Our Puerto Rican Soul Through Food
by Dr. Anaida Colón Muñiz
When I think of Puerto Rican food, I think of my mother and her warm and comforting kitchen. I also think of my family in Puerto Rico and the smells, tastes, and sounds connected to food that I love. Walking into a kitchen to the smell of roast pork, rice and beans, and fried plantains immediately evokes a stream of consciousness that takes me back to my cultural roots and my soul. For example, I remember my mom preparing for the holidays by gathering all the ingredients she needed to make our delicious pasteles. My dad would spend days going from store to store to find everything she needed for the masa and the filling. We would all gather in an assembly line after she had done all of the preparation so that we could compile and tie those wonderful holiday treats to get them ready for the boiling pot of water.
Some foods take me back to my Titi Tila’s house in Rio Piedras Where I spent many summers. She would always try to surprise me with my favorite dishes, including pastelillos de carne, rellenos de papa, and carne frita. My Tía Mary, would prepare biftec empanizado just for me. Gosh, as I think back, I realize how they spoiled me by making me feel special. This is probably why I connect food with so many beautiful and nostalgic memories of Puerto Rico.
Sadly, as a young kid who grew up in the diaspora of Brooklyn, I didn't always appreciate Boricua food, and instead caved in to prefer TV advertised American-made canned meals such as Campbell’s soup or Franco-American spaghetti. What was I thinking?! But I awoke from that nightmare of unhealthy canned meals when I went to college and was subjected to cafeteria food. As soon as I was able to buy a small hot plate, I started calling up Mami regularly to ask her how to make different Puerto Rican dishes. I became quite well known to my other Boricua friends, so much so that I offered to prepare a meal for almost 200 students in our international kitchen. It was an unbelievable experience to make arroz con gandules, rellenos de papa, and pollo guisado for all of those people. I had my friends help me, because the pots and pans used in the cafeteria were enormous, and the task was also huge! I had to think hard and creatively about how to use this kitchenware for the meal, especially measuring ingredients for that quantity of people, and still making everything taste good. This was 1972 and we had no internet or YouTube to help us. It was a rude awakening, but it erased any fear of me being in the kitchen. Since then, I love to cook, even when there is no special occasion, and making Puerto Rican food is not difficult for me, at least for the dishes I learned to make from my family and friends.
Remember the Cocina Boricua Cookbook idea we proposed last issue? Well, we have a good start for putting together a fun and practical NACOPRW SoCal recipe book. There are a few recipes from earlier issues of Nuestras Voces in the El Fogón section that we will include, but they are not enough for an entire book. So, please consider helping us with this project of producing a NACOPRW SoCal cookbook. Let me know if you are interested in helping. You can send a recipe for appetizers, breakfast, lunch or dinner, baked goods or desserts, or even drinks! In our last issue, we asked that you submit recipes of your favorite Puerto Rican dishes, but we have not received any. I know that in this day and age of the Internet and YouTube, we can access hundreds of recipes in a few minutes, but we cannot compare those with the recipes we learned growing up in our Puerto Rican family kitchens! I am happy to help format the recipes. See the template for writing your recipe/s on page 8 and submit to acolon@chapman.edu. Let’sshareourCocinaBoricua!
Marian’s award winning image of Cueva Ventana in Arecibo. Picture courtesy of Marian Hurtado Photography.
IN MEMORIAM: ANTONIO CABÁN VALE “EL TOPO” (1942-2024)
byDr.NilsaJ.Thorsos
Celebrating the Legacy of Antonio Cabán Vale 'El Topo'
Antonio Cabán Vale, widely known by his stage name "El Topo," was a pivotal figure in Puerto Rican music and culture Born on November 22, 1942, in Moca, Puerto Rico, and passing away on July 23, 2024, in San Juan, his journey through music and poetry marked an era of profound artistic achievement
El Topo founded the musical group Taoné, a collective dedicated to preserving and elevating Puerto Rican folklore His unique approach to blending traditional motifs with contemporary sounds helped redefine the island’s musical landscape Among his many contributions, the song 'Verde Luz' is a significant piece, often called the "second anthem of Puerto Rico "
Throughout his illustrious career, El Topo released over 20 full-length albums, each weaving intricate tales of heritage and identity His talents were not confined to music alone; he was also an accomplished poet, authoring books such as *A Place Out of Time* and *Penultimate Exit*
In recognition of his contributions to culture and education, Antonio Cabán Vale was awarded the Doctorate Honoris Causa by the University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla during their forty-fifth graduation ceremony on June 27, 2018
Antonio "El Topo" Cabán Vale leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire musicians and poets alike, immortalizing his voice and vision in the cultural tapestry of Puerto Rico
References: «Antonio Cabán Vale 'El Topo', the author who composed the "second anthem of Puerto Rico" dies: 3 little-known facts about his life» Univision July 23, 2024 Retrieved July 25, 2024
Verde luz de monte y mar
Isla virgen del coral
Si me ausento de tus playas rumorosas
Si me alejo de tus palmas silenciosas
Quiero volver, quiero volver
A sentir la tibia arena
A dormir en tus riberas
Isla mía, flor cautiva
Para ti quiero tener
Libre tu cielo
Sola tu estrella
Isla doncella, quiero tener
Verde luz de monte y mar
https://www letras com/antonio-caban-vale-eltopo/435449/
IN MEMORIAM: JUAN ANTONIO “CHI-CHI” RODRÍGUEZ (1936-2024)
byDr.NilsaJ.Thorsos
Juan Antonio “Chi-Chi” Rodriguez died on August 8, 2024, at 88 When he was very young, he wandered onto a golf course and became a caddie to earn money to help his family, eventually emerging as a trailblazing professional golfer He was known as one of the most charismatic golfers the sport has seen He was the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and won eight PGA Tour events Chi-Chi Rodriguez was well known for his charitable activities, including establishing The Chi-Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation in Florida
Verde Luz
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
2024 NACOPRW SOCAL SECOND DOMINO TOURNAMENT ¡WEPA!
Saturday, July 27th, 2024
On Saturday, July 27th, 2024, the Southern California NACOPRW Chapter hosted its second Domino Tournament at the Norman P Murray Senior Center in Mission Viejo The funds generated from this event supports our annual scholarship program
We had a wonderful turnout and you could feel the excitement prior to the domino games The event started with a delicious sandwich lunch and dessert provided by chef Claudio Sposito from Sposito Bakery in Temecula
Everybody enjoyed and made new friends as we played this traditional Puerto Rican board game Participants were grouped by level (beginner or advanced) Once the tournament began, the teams were very concentrated to win Attendees were having so much fun that they would continue playing amongst themselves after they were eliminated just for the fun of it The pictures speak for themselves!
The event committee, lead by Sonia Colón-Lamas, worked hard to make this a memorable afternoon with a mini-store “Kiosko Boricua” with beautiful gifts, the “Cantina del Coqui” to keep us hydrated, and the Opportunity Drawing table with great prizes
2024 NACOPRW SOCAL SECOND DOMINO TOURNAMENT
And our 2024 Domino Champions are:
Advanced Level
José Delgado and Germán Ibarra
Beginner Level
Evelyn Delgado and Jeffrey Nicholas
Thank you to all our volunteers who worked to make this event possible:
Event Chair:
Sonia Colón-Lamas
Event Team:
Anaida Colón-Muñiz
Dorianne Montalvo
Evelyn Delgado
Gabriel Ibarra
Germán Ibarra
Gloria San Miguel
Grissel Benítez-Hodge
Hilda Ovalle
Javier Rivera-Carbone
Maria Quezada
Marian Hurtado
Marie Nubia-Feliciano
Marjorie Patton
Minerva Ruiz-Soto
Nelson Lamas
Vincent Hodge
Turisteando por Puerto Rico
by Nilsa Thorsos and Gloria San Miguel CIALES
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
BY
Ciales is a picturesque municipality nestled in the mountainous region of Puerto Rico, renowned for its natural beauty, rich history, and strong cultural traditions Founded in 1820, this small town is located in the central part of the island, bordered by towns such as Utuado, Orocovis, Morovis, and Florida With a population of just over 16,000, Ciales is often called the "Heart of the Central Mountains" due to its location within the island's lush, mountainous terrain The town’s landscape is characterized by verdant hills, rivers, and caves, offering numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, river swimming, and exploring natural caves
Historically, Ciales played a role in Puerto Rico’s coffee industry Coffee production once thrived in the region’s cool, high-altitude climate In recent years, new coffee growers have produced high-quality coffee in the mountains of Ciales Plan a visit to El Museo del Café, close to the town’s main square, to learn about the history of coffee in Ciales and enjoy and purchase Don Pello coffee produced in Ciales This family-friendly museum has a small petting zoo at the back of the building After visiting the museum, you can walk to the town square and visit the “Nuestra Señora del Rosario” Church
“Chinchorreo,” or bar/restaurant hopping, is a very popular activity in Puerto Rico and has become a local/tourist attraction in Ciales due to the many stops available There are many kioskos (small food/drink stores) and food trucks in the Paseo Lineal Juan Antonio Corretjer and many restaurant offerings around the town where “chinchorreo” can be made I discovered Abú Ciales Kitchen, 822-5008 Carr during my last visit 149 Km 19 0 in Barrio Pesas The food and prices were great and perfect for a “chinchorreo” stop or a nice lunch
Today, Ciales maintains its rural charm while attracting tourists interested in ecotourism, history, and Puerto Rican traditions For us, its a mandatory stop to visit family, friends and enjoy the places of our youth
References:
https://en wikipedia org/wiki/Ciales, Puerto Rico
https://www callejeandopr com/callejea/cueva-de-las-golondrinas-ciales https://esnoticiapr com/escapadita-por-la-isla-turismo-en-ciales/ https://www discoverpuertorico com/es/articulo/donde-comer-en-ciales
2024 NACOPRW SoCal SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE
by Marjorie Patton
This scholarship season, we were thrilled to receive nine applications from a cohort of exceptionally high-achieving scholars Particularly encouraging was the inclusion of five Puerto Rican applicants, showcasing a rich diversity of backgrounds and aspirations The applicants came from a variety of fields, including medical school, business, and nutrition, each demonstrating remarkable determination, discipline, and resilience in overcoming adversity As in previous years, the competition was fierce, making the committee's task both challenging and exhilarating
After a rigorous first round of evaluations, four deserving candidates advanced to the interview stage, where they continued to impress the committee with their passion and potential Following careful consideration, the committee awarded three scholarships of $1,000 each and presented a special prize to a young applicant to support her continued educational growth We invite you to stay tuned for our next edition, where we will proudly introduce the winners of this year ' s scholarship and celebrate their achievements
El Museo del Café
Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario
Paseo Lineal Juan Antonio Corretjer
La Cueva de las Golondrinas
“Chinchorreando” with family
EL RINCóN DEL COQUÍ:
RESEARCHING YOUR PUERTO RICAN ROOTS
by Milly C Lugo-Rios
Are you interested in your family history? The Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía (SPG), founded in 1989, makes available to its members genealogical resources and opportunities to listen to experts in the field of Puerto Rican genealogy research Through the study of genealogy, the history of the Puerto Rican people, your history, is enriched A bilingual “Carta Circular” newsletter is published periodically with interesting articles on recent genealogical research, a summary of conferences and presentations SPG has over 300 active members who reside in Puerto Rico and the United States They have a dynamic Facebook page where members can post questions and share their research results
Interested? Membership information is available at: https://genealogiaprcom
RINCÓN LITERARIO: BODEGA DREAMS
by Milly C Lugo-Rios
Loyalty, solidarity, and community are the prevalent topics in Ernesto Quiñonez’ Bodega Dreams, a fast-paced story about Latinos in El Barrio in New York City and their quest for personal advancement The author proposes in the story an altruistic goal for this marginalized community; however, will the means justify the end? You, dear Reader, will need to decide Quiñonez was born in Ecuador and moved to New York City with his Puerto Rican mother He was raised in El Barrio, and his knowledge of the Latino community makes his novel a stunning narrative He is an associate professor at Cornell University, teaching narrative writing Bodega Dreams was the July selection of the House of San Diego Book Club All NACOPRW SoCal members are invited to join this book club, which meets monthly via Zoom The book club selects books set in Puerto Rico, about Puerto Rico or Puerto Ricans, or written by Puerto Rican authors
For more information about the House of Puerto Rico San Diego Book Club, contact Isabel Schechter at BookClub@houseofpuertoricocom or go to https://houseofpuertoricocom/#events
Milly’s Rating for Bodega Dreams: 5 Coconuts out of 5!
NACOPRW SOCAL AT THE 2024 AFRO-LATINO CULTURE FEST
On Saturday, July 29th, 2024, a group of our Chapter attended the Afro-Latino Culture Fest The event took place at the Plaza de la Cultura y Artes in Los Angeles This cultural celebration was hosted by the Afro-Latino Education and Arts Collective in partnership with La Plaza de Cultura y Artes The NACOPRW group composed by Gloria San Miguel, President, Dr Marie Nubia-Feliciano, Secretary, and her son Tymen Koetsier, enjoyed an afternoon full of speakers, music, dance, poetry, and comedy showcasing the talent and impact that the Afro-Latino community brings to California We said hello to our friends from House of Puerto Rico San Diego and joined our member Nicole Hernandez having fun in the dance floor The festival was a success and we are looking forward to participate next year
Nuestras Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL
BOMBA CONNECTION!
Los Padres vs Yankees hosted by HPRSD
Friday, 5/24/24, was the Puerto Rican Day pride celebration in San Diego which concluded with the SD Padres vs. NY Yankees game st Petco Stadium.. It was great to see our members from HPRSD, Ellie Ramos and Ana Celia Zentella at the pre-game Happy Hour. We also met Miss Global 2023, from Puerto Rico, Ashley Meléndez.
íOrgullo Borinqueño!
The Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) celebrated the grand opening of Sonia Sotomayor Elementary School on July 11, 2024, with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony. The school is part of the Dual Language Immersion Program. We are very proud that the CVESC chose such a distinguished Puerto Rican woman to represent the school. https://www.cvesd.org/schools/new-otay-ranch-village-2-school
Coming this fall: Pasteles Masterclass!
Don’t miss our member, Chef Minerva Ruiz-Soto, as she teaches us the art of making Puerto Rican pasteles. With this educational video you can make those delicious pasteles from scratch and have your guests wondering: “where did you buy them?” This video will be available for a small fee to support our scholarship program.
Cultural Canvas at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
We are very proud of our member, Rocío Delgado-García, as she was selected to present her art last August 5, at the event Cultural Canvas, hosted by the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel. Congratulations Rocío! For more information or to see her art go to https://unrocio.my.canva.site
Anaida Colón Muñiz
Gloria San Miguel
Marjorie Patton
Medallas Olímpicas para Puerto Rico - Paris 2024
Congratulations to the Puerto Rico delegation, specially our Bronze winners Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (Women’s 100 meters hurdle) and Sebastián Rivera (wrestling)
Callingallboricua chefs
Name of Dish (in Spanish with English Description)
Memory: Write a paragraph or two about why this dish is important to you and how it reminds you of Puerto Rico, a family member, a friend, or an experience related to being Puerto Rican
Ingredients- written with clear measurements (cup tsp tbsp pinch etc )
Example:
4 tbsps of olive oil
2 lbs of potatoes- peeled and cut into one-inch chunks and set aside
1 medium-sized onion sliced into thin round pieces
3 garlic cloves peeled and cut into very small pieces
1 lb of chopped beef- defrosted and sprinkled with adobo
Procedure: Step-by-step procedures for cutting mixing and cooking (frying baking, grilling, etc )
Example:
Sauté the onion and garlic in two tbsps of the olive oil until soft and fragrant (about 3 minutes) Add the chopped beef
Picture/s - If possible, include two high-resolution photos One photo should be of your recipe that is being prepared (or a finished product), and one your memory (a person a place an experience )
This publication summarizes the recent activities of NACOPRW-SOCAL, showcasing our members' achievements. As we prepare for the Fall/Winter months, we are excited about the upcoming events we have carefully planned for our valued members. We encourage everyone to stay tuned for future updates
Nilsa J Thorsos Committee Chair
Nicole Hernández Contributor
Milly C. Lugo-Ríos
Sonia Colón-Lamas