Nuestras Voces Newsletter - August 2023 Issue

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

NUESTRAS VOCES

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE AND RIGHTS THROUGH MENTORSHIP AND LEADERSHIP FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

VOL 3, AUG 2023

Editorial - Entre Nosotras

PRESENTING OUR EDITORS FOR THIS ISSUE: &

Anaida Colón-Muñiz Sonia Colón-Lamas

Since its inception in 1998, NACOPRW SoCal has undergone many changes in its membership, activities, and capacity as a non-profit, while making its indelible mark in Southern California

Throughout the years, our key focus has been to honor our past, promote Puerto Rican and Latina girls and women to reach their highest potential, and give back to our communities As such, we have done well, mentoring, and awarding $25,000 in scholarships to nearly 50 aspiring college students pursuing both undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of fields And, while Covid19 deterred some of our annual in person activities, for over 20 years prior, girls have been inspired to continue their 712th grade and college education by participating in our De Mujer a Mujercita (DMAM) mentoring event for Latina moms and their daughters in Orange County During that same period, we have also recognized prominent Puerto Rican Women who have excelled in their fields and honored us by becoming recipients of our distinguished Orgullo Boricua Award

In-person and virtually, we have held member workshops on maintaining good health and finances, celebrating our Puerto Rican history, cultural, racial, and ethnic roots, our arts and culture, and our lineage as Puerto Rican women We also spent time preparing culinary favorites, such as sofrito, mofongo, sangria, pasteles, and coquito; some which have doubled as key fundraisers

While we have enjoyed social and cultural events that include fiestas and parrandas, Mother’s Day, painting Caribbean scenes, and playing traditional games such as dominos, we have also responsibly engaged in fundraising to support organizations that help women and children Nonprofits such as Susan G Komen, the Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center and World Central Kitchen have been recipients of our contributions We are especially proud of our efforts post hurricane Maria to raise substantial monies over a two-year period aimed at making a difference The outcome resulted in over $30,000 in donations and supplies to severely impacted Puerto Rican schools and teachers, health brigades and clinics, community and senior centers, university students and programs, food banks and women ’ s shelters, as well as direct visits to their sites The hope in their eyes and smiles of appreciation are manifest in our photographs and organizational memory

While NACOPRW SoCal is relatively small, we have a powerful group of proud, motivated, and dedicated Puerto Rican/Latina women who have notably given us a history of which we can feel honored, as we join the chapter network of other states and our national parent organization Unquestionably, we continue to promote this work with a dynamic board and through an updated website, newsletters, and social media, as we engage our members, honor, and affirm our heritage, and increase our membership to grow our organization

We have worked hard to represent our group in public venues and events, such as schools, universities, local and international fairs, all with the goal of teaching others about Puerto Rico and our Chapter Whether at a meeting or at an event, we have had lots of fun sharing our Boricua experiences Thanks to our dedicated members, our wonderful families, and our generous friends for supporting NACOPRW SoCal over the years and being such an important part of us

Happy Anniversary!

Nuestras Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL

HONORARY MEMBER AND SCHOLARSHIP DONOR DR. GLORIA CABALLER-ARCE Sonia Colón-Lamas and Anaida Colón-Muñiz

Thank you for your continued generous support of our NACOPRW SoCal Chapter.

Attaining a doctoral degree, serving as a middle school vice principal, being recognized as a talented artist, and even winning the Mrs Massachusetts pageant and reigning as Queen, are but a few of the many accomplishments of la Doctora Gloria Caballer-Arce, our honorary member and scholarship donor Dr CaballerArce discovered her passion for the arts at an early age Although she always dreamt of becoming an artist, she soon realized there was a serious need for bilingual educators during the turbulent 1970s She entered the field of education and integrated the arts whenever and however she could First, she moved from Brooklyn to upstate New York to pursue her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the behest of good friends She then completed her Master’s Degree in Education in New York, and later her Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts, in Amherst She had several successful careers, most vividly as a Puerto Rican teacher and middle school administrator in Springfield During that time, she never stopped creating beautiful works of art, especially for her friends and loved ones She also volunteered and created summer art programs for children. Post-retirement, she has finally dedicated her life to continuing her artistic passion in the visual arts and designing beautiful jewelry She enjoys displaying her original creations in galleries and participating in local art shows where she has many loyal clients and followers. During Covid’s lockdown, NACOPRW SoCal members were fortunate to learn more about her experience as an artist during our Zoom workshop on Boricua Artists in the Diaspora Gloria or “Cuqui”, as she likes her friends to call her, also has been a great proponent of higher education for Latino youth. Her love of education and support of Latino students first moved her to initiate a Latino Scholarship Award in Western Massachusetts, which has become a very important event each year. We are fortunate that she now also generously donates annually to NACOPRW SoCal's Puerto Rican and Latina Scholarship program, despite our distance from her east coast home. In appreciation of this proud, beautiful, successful Puerto Rican woman, the NACOPRW SoCal executive board unanimously awarded Dr. Gloria Caballer Arce a lifetime Honorary Membership. íGracias por siempre apoyarnos, Cuqui!

Interested in joining NACOPRW-SoCal? Go to www.nacoprwsocal.org/membership and complete & send us your application.

EL FOGÓN

BORICUA

RocíoDelgado-García

Recetas de la Abuela: Bacalaítos de Mita Carmín

In my family no party was complete without delicious "bacalaítos" (codfish fritters). I come from a large family where any "small" gathering became a 100 plus people party! Bacalaítos were the perfect appetizer because it would feed a lot of people. I remember my grandmother, Mita Carmín, with a large paint bucket full of bacalaítos mix and see a line of people form waiting their turn to get one freshly made. I can remember the smell of the bacalaítos, that first crunchy bite full of pure Boricua taste. Our beloved grandmother taught us this delicious traditional recipe that will share here:

Ingredients:

2 pounds of dry/salted cod

1 pound of flour

2 tablespoons of sofrito

1 can of red peppers (pimientos morrones) without liquid and finely chopped

A green pepper finely chopped

2 crushed garlic

4 tablespoons of baking soda

Vegetable oil to fry

Instructions:

Wash the cod with water and leave in one liter and a half of water overnight. In this same water break the fish into very small pieces (remove any bones) and add all the other ingredients of the list. Mix until the batter until it has a liquid. Heat the oil in a big frying pan. When the oil is very hot you can add the mix with a big spoon until you see the borders turn brown.

Dr. Gloria Caballer-Arce

PAINT AND SANGRIA FOR A GOOD CAUSE ¡WEPA!

MARJORIE PATTON

On Saturday, March 25th, the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, SoCal chapter, kicked off the season with a spirited SpringSummer Fundraising event: our 1st Sangria & Painting Party, hosted at member and artist Rocio Delgado's charming home in San Diego.

Members, friends, and supporters came together to share great food, refreshing sangria, and fellowship. Guided by Rocio’s expert instructions we painted lovely original canvases depicting the blue ocean, reminiscent of our pristine Puerto Rican coast. All the guests shared anecdotes, made jokes in good spirit, and shared experiences with each other. Amidst laughter and conversation, a genuine camaraderie blossomed as we explored our creative, artistic selves.

The fundraiser served a dual purpose, both fostering a sense of community, and raising funds for the advancement of Puerto Rican women in Southern California. It was evidence of the beauty in our unity, the pride in our talent, and the joyful spirit of giving back. Let's toast to the very successful 1st Sangria & Painting Party, a testament to the innovative spirit of the National Conference of Puerto Rican, SoCal.

Thanks to Marian Hurtado Photography for the beautiful pictures of the event.

¡WEPA! 2

NACOPRW SOCAL FIRST DOMINO TOURNAMENT - TEMECULA 2023

SATURDAY, JULY 15TH, 2023

LSecondPlace: osPoderosos (NelsonLamas& GermánIbarra)

TFirstPlace: eam100x35 (JuanchoRivera& HéctorConde)

Text here

Turisteando por Puerto Rico

RECIPIENTS

LA CASITA BLANCA

Milly Lugo-Ríos and Gloria San Miguel

BY

During my last visit to Puerto Rico, I discovered a culinary jewel called La Casita Blanca. The restaurant offers traditional Puerto Rican food within a very relaxed atmosphere of open windows and high ceilings. It is decorated with old Puerto Rican memorabilia, making me feel like I was at my abuela's house. The server started us with a complimentary order of "bacalaítos" and "sopa de plátano". For our main dish we ordered "serenata de bacalao con verduras" (codfish salad with root vegetables). We completed our foodie adventure with a "tres leches" cake with "coquito" flavor and complimentary "chichaito", an anise digestif. The chichaito had 3 coffee beans that represent luck, health, and love. All the food was delicious, just like at home!

The review above is by Milly Lugo-Rios, who visited the restaurant recently and loved it. La Casita Blanca is one of the six recipients of the 2023 James Beard America's Classics Award. The America's Classics Award is given to locally owned restaurants that have timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for quality food that reflects the character of its community. The Casita Blanca is known for its homestyle Puerto Rican food, such as arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas). Its owner, Jesús Pérez Ruiz, opened the restaurant in 1980. His vision was to have an inexpensive, family-run restaurant. Ruiz’s sons now run the restaurant and they have maintained its homey vibe. For Puerto Ricans, going to La Casita Blanca, it is indeed like visiting a tía or abuela’s house for a family feast.

La Casita Blanca is located at 351 Calle Tapia, San Juan, Puerto Rico. For an interesting video about La Casita Blanca go to the link below. English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnuqVPXGNKQ

Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnuqVPXGNKQ

Our deepest condolences to our dear member Dorianne Montalvo on the passing of her mother, Doña María Teresa Pagan Vega. She lived a beautiful life dedicated to her three children, grandkids and great-grandkids. She loved Puerto Rican cooking, music, and playing dominoes. May she rest in peace.

EL RINCóN DEL COQUÍ:

NICOLE HERNÁNDEZ AT THE PUERTO RICAN SUMMER FESTIVALS

Nicole Hernández,

II am beginning the third year of my Ph.D. program at Arizona State University in Social Cultural Anthropology. My dissertation is researching the history of the migration of Puerto Ricans to California and our cultural heritage practices. As part of my pre-doctoral fieldwork, I spent the day at the Puerto Rican Festivals in both Long Beach and Newark, California. At the festivals, I rented a booth and displayed a small portion of the 1980 photography collection by Puerto Rican documentarian Frank Espada. Mr. Espada sadly passed away in 2014, but in 2004 he published an important book called “The Puerto Rican Diaspora Project: Themes in the Survival of a People,” which features his one-of-a-kind research, Funded by the National Endowment of the Humanities. From 1979 to 1981, Mr. Espada visited and photographed nearly every Puerto Rican community across the US, conducting 144 interviews with community leaders from different eras. In Long Beach, one series of popular photos was the long-past Día de San Juan Festival hosted by David Santiago and friends at Cabrillo Beach, that festival ended in 1981.

I was happily surprised by the number of people who stopped by my tent and shared their warm memories of those days at the beach with their families. In the Bay Area, I showcased familiar faces such as John Santos and Piri Thomas, as well as community leaders like Edelmiro Huertas, former president of Club Puertorriqueño de San Francisco, and Doña Lila Calderón de Romero from the 1950s group, Órden Fraternal de los Hijos de Puerto Rico. I conducted about 25 short interviews with people who stopped by to share their personal experiences and commentaries about the California Puerto Rican community, both past and present. I am excited to be building a more cohesive narrative of our community dating back to 1901, when the first Puerto Ricans settled in San Francisco. California. Puerto Ricans have a long and proud history in this State, and we are still going strong!

NACOPRW SOCAL IS HONORED AT THE OCCTAC COMMUNITY PARTNERS CELEBRATION

Thank you to our member and OCCTAC's founding executive director, Dr. Ana Jiménez-Hami, for honoring our organization at the 2023 Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC) Annual Community Partners Celebration. Also present were the Mayor of Santa Ana, Valerie Amezcua, and Vincent Sarmiento from the OC Board of Supervisors. The event showcased performances and an art exhibit from the talented students of the Center. OCCTAC is dedicated to providing innovative, artistic, educational, and therapeutic programs to inspire and transform children and at-promise youth, along with their families, to fulfill their highest potential. NACOPRW SoCal is thrilled to support this great nonprofit organization with a donation.

NACOPRW SO CAL CELEBRATES PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE DAY WITH HOUSE OF PUERTO RICO SAN DIEGO

The city of San Diego declared Friday, May 19th, 2023, as Puerto Rican Heritage Day, and NACOPRW SoCal joined this day proudly. Tony Flores, President of House of Puerto Rico in San Diego, announced the City Proclamation declaring May 19, 2023, Puerto Rican Heritage Day. A group from our NACOPRW SoCal Chapter continued celebrating our Boricua pride at Petco Park, where we saw the San Diego Padres play against the Boston Red Sox. It was amazing to see almost 400 Puerto Ricans sitting together wearing the colors of our flag and lots of great Puerto Rican outfits, t-shirts, and hats. ¡Weepa!

Left: Gloria San Miguel, President of NACOPRW, SoCal with Tony Flores, President of House of Puerto Rico in San Diego, and the City Proclamation declaring May 19th, 2023 as PuertoRicanHeritage Day. Right: with Joe Carballo, Treasurer of House of Puerto Rico, San Diego, and Gloria San Miguel at Petco Park celebrating Boricua pride.

Left: Germán Ibarra and Jose and Evelyn Delgado among Boricuas at Petco Park to see the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox game. Right: SoCal Members Joyce Álvarez and Nicole Hernández raising our flags high!

Left:Dr.AnaJiménez-Hami,directorofOCCTACandGloriaSanMiguel,PresidentofNACOPRWSoCal.

Right:NACOPRWSoCal'smembers,GrisselBenítez-Hodge,MinervaHodge,andGloriaSanMiguel

Graduated from Cathedral Catholic High School with honors and will attend Louisiana State University on a full scholarship. She'll major in Pre-Dentistry

Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL

BOMBA CONNECTION!

NACOPRW CLASS OF 2023!

Congratulations to all the graduates who received their high school graduation or college diplomas Keep working towards your goals The sky is the limit!

BORICUA BABY

Graduated from the University Central Florida with a BA in Business Administration

BABY NEWS!!!

Graduated from San Clemente High Scool and will be attending the University of Michigan to study Bioloy

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

Congratulations are in order for Dr. Anaida Colón-Muñiz and Dr. Mac Morante on the birth of their first grandchild

Lee Christopher Morante-Wohlers

íFelicidades abuelitos!

Meet our Newsletter Team:

This edition of our newsletter is truly a manifestation of NACOPRW-SoCal's teamwork! In this edition, we honor our members' accomplishments, milestones and NACOPRWSoCal's upcoming 25th anniversary Anaida and Sonia's editorial provide insights of NACOPRWSoCal's history throughout the years to provide a space for women who want to continue our Boricua heritage and pride You will see in this edition how we continue to work to inspire all women to continue to support other young scholars, and to inspire to give back and help others I want to thank the amazing newsletter committee and collaborators: Anaida, Gloria, Nicole, Milly, Marjorie, Rocio, and Sonia This edition is a result of your endeavors and passion to share our Latina pride To our dear members, we hope you have enjoyed all the stories and achievements of our SoCal Chapter

Nilsa

The names of the awardees for the 2023 NACOPRW SoCal Scholarships will be announced soon and they will be honored at the upcoming 25th anniversary celebration!

Many thanks to the Scholarship Committee for their hard work and commitment. The committee was led by Dr. Marie Nubia Feliciano with the support of Marjorie Patton, Sonia Colón- Lamas, Nilsa Smith Scott, Griselle Benítez-Hodge, Milly Lugo Ríos, Dorrianne Montalvo, Dr. María S. Quezada, and Dr. Nilsa J. Thorsos.

Bella Jaikarán

Salvador Rivera

Graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo specializing in Sports Management

Tymen Koetsier Graduated from Irvine HS and will be attending Irvne Valley College in the fall to study History

Danille Marie Ortiz

Gabriela Peña

Kyara Marie Cortez Ortiz Graduated from San Juan High School and will be attending College in Orlando, Florida Scholarship 2023

Nilsa J. Thorsos Committee Chair

Nicole Hernández Contributor

Milly C. Lugo-Ríos Contributor

Marjorie Patton Contributor

Sonia Colón-Lamas Contributor

Gloria San Miguel Contributor

UPDATE

Rocio Delgado Contributor

Anaida Colón Muñiz Copy Editor