NUESTRAS VOCES CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE AND RIGHTS THROUGH MENTORSHIP AND LEADERSHIP FOR A BETTER TOMORROW
VOL 3, DEC 2023
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:
Marjorie Patton
&
Nilsa J. Thorsos
As we reflect on our journey for this year, there are many accomplishments that we want to share with you. 2023 was a productive year for NACOPRW-SoCal members and committees! We were quite busy preparing for our 25th anniversary, for which we were honored with Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto as recipient of our Orgullo Boricua Award. Past and current members plus friends, family, and allies attended this special celebration. The food was prepared by the planning committee and it was outstanding. In this newsletter, we include one of the recipes for “arroz vago” by Luz Nieves Colon, which was a total success! During the event, we also had a fruitful fundraising activity with enticing opportunity drawings that delighted our guests. Along with other fundraising endeavors, such as our traditional coquito sale, the first domino tournament, and the painting and sangria party, this was a mayor success whose results surpassed our expectations and financial goals for the year. We hope that this is just the beginning of even greater accomplishments, and that we continue to achieve increased fundraising growth to meet our organization’s mission of lifting Latina women through education, as well as supporting the needs of our communities. The scholarship committee worked hard to assess and select the recipients of this year’s awards totaling $3500! Every year, we are impressed by the quality and caliber of the applicants. This is a very difficult task for the scholarship committee, wishing we could provide support for all our young Latina scholars applicants who are currently pursuing higher education. We have been fortunate to count on additional financial support by some of our members who increased giving after participating in the scholarship committee and seeing the impact of their generous gifts. We thank you for that and invite others to follow their lead! Another accomplishment for our members has been the partnerships and collaborations we’ve developed with our friends at Casa de Puerto Rico in San Diego and Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC), as well as with Rocio Delgado’s outstanding support giving art lessons, and Marian Hurtado’s generosity with her photography in documenting our events. Also, thanks to our president, Gloria San Miguel, our membership has reached record numbers in recent years! We welcome our new members, and give kudos to all of the members of our committees! This newsletter will provide more details for you and pictures of our fabulous 2023 year. The best is yet to come! We have more goals and projects planned for 2024, so stay tuned, and active!
Happy HolidayS 2023 PAGE 1
Nuestras Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL Nuestras Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL
VOLUME 3, DECEMBER 2023
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Dr. Ana Jiménez-Hami: Leader and Visionary
By Dr. Anaida Colón-Muñiz
La Doctora Ana, as her staff likes to call her, is a powerhouse Boricua and one of the longest participating members of NACOPRW SoCal. She is the founder and executive director of the Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC) in Santa Ana, a bilingual multicultural center serving Orange County. Ana began her work over 20 years ago, to establish a center focused on therapy and inclusion through the visual and performing arts, in honor of her parents, who were great philanthropists in Puerto Rico. She pays tribute to them every single day through her awesome dedication and service. The Center’s mission is to integrate students that have disabilities with general education children. Over the years, with the help of grants, contracts, fundraising, and sliding scale fees, the Center has increased its programs based on the needs of the students and families. For example, some youth might also receive mentoring or tutoring while others might learn about computers. When you enter OCCTAC, you immediately connect with a creative and nurturing community environment, with evidence of children’s art, music, dance, and writing, everywhere. Classes are scheduled throughout the afternoons and weekends to facilitate children’s participation. The sound of musical instruments playing in the background might be on one side of the Center, while dancers might rehearse steps to a routine on the other end.
Dr. Ana Jiménez-Hami with students from OCCTAC
Interested in joining NACOPRW-SoCal? Go to www.nacoprwsocal.org/membership and complete & send us your application.
Preschool and parenting programs are also offered during day hours. There are performances by the students in public venues and other opportunities for them to showcase all that they are learning, such as through exhibits. Many participants have gone on to performance arts secondary schools, and quite a few have pursued higher education. Some of the most remarkable outcomes of OCCTAC’s programs are for those students who have overcome significant disabilities through OCCTAC’s arts and therapy programs. I have personally witnessed the transformation of students with autism, physical disabilities, down syndrome, and other abilities perform by singing opera, playing violin, piano, guitar, or by dancing. The change is truly exceptional, given the relatively short time that is spent at the Center when compared to school. NACOPRW SoCal has supported OCCTAC over the years, and OCCTAC has been a loyal partner, graciously hosting several of our events. Doctora Ana is truly a tireless and fearless leader and visionary. We are proud to have her in our midst as a member and are honored to highlight her in this issue of Nuestras Voces.
BORICUA
EL FOGÓN
by Luz A. Nieves Colón
Puerto Rican Lazy Rice: A Party Hit Boricuas are known for our celebrations. Birthday parties, anniversaries, Christmas, you name it, we don’t need a big excuse to get together to celebrate. Of course, food is always at the center of any event, and it won’t be a Boricua party if there isn’t a rice dish available. “Arroz Vago,” which translates to “Lazy Rice,” is a popular rice dish at parties among Puerto Ricans because it is delicious and easy to make. Some people make a similar recipe called “Arroz Griego”; the main difference being the cooking method, stovetop vs oven. Needless to say, as with any Puerto Rican recipe, you will find many variations. In this article, I am sharing mine as I made it for NACOPRW SoCal’s 25th Anniversary event this year. I have been making this recipe for over 30 years, which I got from a Boricua friend when I moved to Minnesota in 1994. Back then, as Boricuas far away from our home, there was never a shortage of excuses to get together, and this recipe appeared at almost every party. Lazy Rice is a baked rice dish that comes out perfectly every time, if you follow the recipe. Of course, you can make your own adjustments or variations; my only recommendation is to keep the ratio of rice to liquid as indicated by the recipe below for a successful dish. Enjoy!
Ingredients: 1 can 15.5 oz chickpeas, undrained 1 can 10.5 oz Campbell French onion soup 1 can 14.5 oz Beef Broth (Swanson) 2 cups Uncle Ben's long grain parboiled rice 1 chicken stock cube 1 small jar of sliced Spanish olives, drained 4 oz butter (1 stick) 1 small to medium size onion, chopped 1 small can of diced roasted bell peppers Optional: 1lb of bacon, chopped, fat trimmed.
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Sauté chopped onions with the butter, then add the rice and sauté the rice with the onions. Transfer the onions and rice mix to a baking pan (to make it “lazier”, use a disposable aluminum pan) and add the rest of the ingredients. Cover with foil, bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 1 hour until rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed. You can stir it after 45 minutes. Note: for the NACOPRW event no bacon was added to the recipe.
¡Buen provecho! PAGE 2
VOLUME 3, AUGUST 2023
Nuestras Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL
NACOPRW SOCAL CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY AND 2023 ORGULLO BORICUA AWARD by Gloria San Miguel
Chapter President, Gloria San Miguel and 2023 Orgullo Boricua Award, LA City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto
From left to right, back row: Anaida Colón-Muñiz, Sonia Colón Lamas, Marjorie Patton, Nilsa Thorsos, Celinés Luna, and Marie Nubia Feliciano Front row: LA Sheriff, Robert Luna and Gloria San Miguel
¡W E P A !
Gloria San Miguel and Treasurer of House of Puerto Rico in San Diego, Joe Carballo
Attorney Saundra Wootton with LA Deputy City Attorney, Phil Lam
On Sunday, September 10th, 2023, the members of the Southern California Chapter of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women celebrated 25 years of achievements, mentoring, and community support at the Norman P. Murray Senior Center in Mission Viejo, CA. We also presented our most cherished Orgullo Boricua Award, recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding Puerto Rican Women in SoCal. As guests entered the room, which was beautifully decorated by a team led by Dorianne Montalvo, our board welcomed everyone to take pictures by our “red carpet” banner, donated by Dr. Mac Morante. Guests were asked to place a marker on the the “Yo Soy de Aquí” board, prepared by Treasurer, Sonia Colón-Lamas, who also organized the opportunity gifts. Guests indulged in delicious Boricua appetizers and a tropical drink, all prepared by several members, while browsing and selecting their favorite opportunity gifts for a chance to win. Nelson Lamas and Vincent Hodge helped with collecting the donations. President Gloria San Miguel opened the event with a welcome and recognition of dignitaries and members, oldest to newest. Playing in the background was a PowerPoint prepared by Past President, Anaida ColónMuñiz, which depicted our 25 year history. Gloria then shared information on our chapter and its mission; summarizing our most important goals. She introduced the SoCal board, who presented highlights of activities that have been developed over the years which have helped to shape the chapter.
Left: Members were greeted by our Secretary, Dr. Marie Nubia Feliciano and her son Tymen Koetsier Right: Members Minerva Ruiz Sotomayor and Grissel Benítez-Hodge mark their hometown of Añasco, Puerto Rico in the “Yo Soy de Aquí” activity
25 Years of Sisterhood! Members mingle as the Southern California NACOPRW Chapter celebrates 25 Years!
Member and Attorney Saundra Wooten introduced this year’s Orgullo Boricua Award winner, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. Hydee thanked us and followed with an inspirational acceptance speech. This year’s Scholarship Award winners were also introduced by 1st Vice President, Marjorie Patton and Secretary, Marie Nubia Feliciano. Paradise Kafri was there to receive her award, but other awardees had already left town for college. They were all applauded for their outstanding efforts as students.
Left: Joyce Alvarez, Evelyn Delgado and Luz Nieves Colón Right: Drs. Merle Bulgarín, Ana Jiménez-Hami, & Magaly Lavadenz
The Boricua dishes were a great success, under the leadership of member Luz Nieves Colon, and the guava cake, compliments of Chef Claudio, was sensational! The opportunity gifts were also a big hit, as winners cheered while their names were being called. We appreciate all of the help and donations made by members and our friends and allies who helped to make this day a truly great success! In the name of NACOPRW SoCal, thank you. Left: Sol Reyes Roberts and Joyce Álvarez. Right: Dorianne Montalvo, Gloria San Miguel, and Vivian Valdez
Left: Beautiful decorations created by the Event Committee Right: Chef Claudio’s delicious Guava Cake
Left: Nicole Hernández and Dr. Nilsa J. Thorsos. Center: Evelyn Delgado, Gloria San Miguel, and Lycely Sepulveda Right: Drs. Maria Garcia, Ana Jiménez-Hami, and Anaida Colón-Muñiz
Much appreciation to Marian Hurtado Photography for the beautiful event photos.
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Nuestras Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL
VOLUME 3, December 2023
¡WEPA!
Our guests enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by members of the Event Committee.
Raising funds for our initiatives
Past President, Dr. Anaida Colón-Muñiz toasts to honor NACOPRW So-Cal’s 25th 2023 Orgullo Boricua Award Recipient, LA City Attorney, Hydee Feldstein Soto on our 25th Anniversary
íGracias!
This event was a true testament to teamwork. Thank you to the Events Committee for your creativity, dedication and excellence. Decoration Committee: Dorianne Montalvo-Lead Hilda Feliciano Marian Hurtado Fundraising Committee: Sonia Colón Lamas-Lead Nilsita Smith Scott Nilsa J. Thorsos Nelson Lamas Vincent Beníitez Presentation Committee: Anaida Colón-Muñiz Gloria San Miguel
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Food Committee: Luz Nieves-Lead Grissel Benítez-Hodge Marian Hurtado Gloria San Miguel Marjorie Patton Welcome Committee: Marie Nubia Feliciano Board Members
Café Colao Team (artesanos): Luz Nieves Freddy Peña Rocío Delgado García
VOLUME 3, DECEMBER 2023
Nuestras Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL
Turisteando por Puerto Rico Visitando a Cidra
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS by Dr. Anaida Colón-Muñiz BYIsland of Puerto Nestled on a hill in the mountainous “Cordillera Central” region of the Rico is the town of Cidra, which is in the municipality by the same name. Known as the town of eternal spring for its relatively cooler (80°F) temperatures, it is also known for “la paloma sabanera”, a rare blue-eyed pigeon that lives in the plains of that area. It is in danger of extinction due to deforestation and urban development, with just a few hundred still found in the area. Bird watchers always seek a glimpse of this treasure!
Cidra
Cidra Lake is a reservoir where people enjoy kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and bird-watching. Favorite local celebrations include La Fiesta Paloma Sabanera, Las Fiestas Patronales de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, and Semana Myrna Vázquez, a famous television actress and activist. There are several places to visit, including the Del Carmen Parish, Las Hamacas Bridge, y Teatro Iberia
El Tostón de Virgen One stop I’ll be sure to make when I visit Cidra, Puerto Rico, is to a novel restaurant called El Tostón de Virgen. My cousins posted photos on FB of what looks to be a series of incredible menu items, all related to plantains used in traditional and innovative dishes. As many of you know, tostón is one of our favorite foods, made by double-frying cut-up green plantains that are pressed after the first fry. But this restaurant takes plantains to another level, serving them with beef, shrimp, pork, and rice, and beans, another Boricua favorite. El Tostón de Virgen is a combination plate for three, including chicken breast stuffed with mofongo (our famous fried and mashed plantain dish), churrasco steak, giant tostones, and arroz mamposteado (mixed rice and beans). El Volcán de Virgen combination includes steak mounted on mofongo (maduro o bifongo) and topped with shrimp, all bathed in a white sauce, with arroz mamposteao on the side. Mar y Mar al Tostón sounds like a seafood delight, and you’ll have to look up Las Tetis del Tostón dish to learn more about that $50 chef specialty! Other plates, served with chicken, beef, pork, or seafood, look more familiar to me. No matter what you order, it’s all delicious! If you want to get there in good time, it’s located at Carr 171 km 1.1 interior Bo. Sud Sector Palmasola, Cidra, Puerto Rico, Tel. +1 787-5905543. Try it on your next visit to La Isla del Encanto. Better hurry! References: http://www.prfrogui.com/home/cidra.htm ; https://welcome.topuertorico.org/city/cidra.shtml https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075803936887
Sample menu of El Tostón de Virgen. and images of some popular food items.
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VOLUME 3, DECEMBER 2023
Nuestras Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL
2023 NACOPRW SoCal SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
NACOPRW-SoCal is pleased to recognize the achievements of these accomplished young scholars, recipients of the 2023 Scholarship awards. We are proud of you and wish you continued sucess and prosperity. Keep thriving and inspiring!
Kaley Rivanis
Gabriela Peña
Melissa Sonntag
$1,000 Award
$1,000 Award
University of Michigan Freshwoman Biology, Health & Society
UC. Irvine Juris Doctor Law School
Santa Monica College Senior Sociology
Western State College Juris Doctor Law School
UC San Diego Junior Computer Science
“Soul Food”- Gabriela finds inspiration and a sense of belonging in our traditional dishes which keeps her connected to her Puerto Rican heritage and proud of our rich culture. Along with her strong family bond and traditions, Gabriela is proud to be Boricua!
“Mami’s stories” kept Melissa and her siblings distracted from the cold winters of her childhood, bundled tougher in blankets in front of the kitchen oven to keep them warm. These and other memories of hardship is what drives Melissa’s success.
From a young age Paradise experienced adversity that bruised her self-worth and confidence, until she found nurturing, encouraging and devoted educators who recognized her winning spirit. Today, Paradise is paying forward her good fortune by sharing her “light of resilience” with others.
Having experienced the biases of cultural stereotypes, Kaley was determined to lean into her Guatemalan heritage to prove others wrong. After visiting her maternal country, she found strength and appreciation for her family and the sacrifices they made to give her the opportunities she now enjoys.
After Arlyz and her peers were the targets of bullying, she took the initiative to encourage her peers to claim the spaces they deserved, and to which they had not been welcomed traditionally. Arelyz’ compassionate leadership drives her passion to encourage Latinx people to pursue higher education.
Paradise Kafri $750 Award
The 2023 Coquito Workshop by Luz A. Nieves Colón On Saturday, November 4th, 2023, members of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Woman SoCal chapter gathered in Tustin, California for our annual Coquito making event, a fundraiser that is now a tradition of the chapter and a way to kick off the holiday season. This year, Aimet Pauneto, one of our newest members, kindly offered her home to host the event. Over 13 members volunteered to help in the production of more than 100 bottles of delicious Coquito. The room was filled with the aromas of cinnamon and coconut, complemented by the sounds of typical Puerto Rican Christmas music. It was a wonderful way to kick off the holidays while volunteering for a great cause! As the batches of Coquito were mixed, the bottles filled, sealed and decorated, we felt that not only were we bottling our delicious traditional drink, but we were also sending in each bottle the joy of also tasting the Puerto Rican holiday festivities with each and every sip of Coquito. The production of Coquito is an all-day event, but so much fun when you get to enjoy a lunch made by members that included, pasteles de masa made by the beautiful hands of 93 year-old Doña Minerva, arroz con gandules by Griselle BenítezHodge, a roasted pernil by Gloria San Miguel , yuca al mojo by Marian Hurtado (our official photographer) and budin de pan by Marjorie Patton. With all of thatcombined with the aroma and flavors of artisanal Puerto Rican coffee that was provided by our host Aimet Pauneto- rest assured that it never felt like a workday, but rather like a beautiful Christmas celebration! Donations received from the Coquito bottles support our scholarship program, as well as other programs and other nonprofit organizations that help our community. If you have not savored our NACOPRW SoCal Coquito yet, I encourage you to try it. It is one of the best Coquito recipes I have ever tasted! Happy Holidays with Coquito!
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$375 Award
Arelyz Marin Matienzo $375 Award
Nuestras Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL
VOLUME 3, DECEMBER 2023
EL RINCóN DEL COQUÍ: LAZOS LITERARIOS: ESMERALDA SANTIAGO’S NEW BOOK “LAS MADRES” By Milly C. Lugo-Ríos
On August 9, 2023, Puerto Rican author, Esmeralda Santiago, presented her new book “Las Madres” at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture in Old San Juan. I attended the event, and it was extraordinary! “Las Madres” centers around five women. Three mothers: Shirley, Ada, and Luz; and two daughters, Marisol, and Graciela. The plot unfolds between PR and the Bronx, revealing the lives and loves of these five women, and the secrets and memories that unites them. Esmeralda suffered a stroke 12 years ago which affected her written comprehension. She remembers how she learned English and began re-learning the language. Her curiosity about memories begins with this incident. When the character of Luz emerged, she understood the isolation that a person experiences when they have had any kind of brain injury. Essentially, “Las Madres” is a powerful story of memory, loss, and Puerto Rico. Some of the women in the book were not born in Puerto Rico, and one of them in fact, had never been to Puerto Rico, and yet, like our NACOPRW members, they still have that connection to the culture, to the history, to the people, and to the island so far away from them.
Esmeralda Santiago discussing her new book “Las Madres” at the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture in Old San Juan.
FROM THE CARIBBEAN SEA TO THE PACIFIC COAST: PUERTO RICAN MIGRATION TO HAWAII By Nicole Hernández
Over the past year, my doctoral research has increasingly focused on the intricate connections between Puerto Rico, Hawai'i, and California, specifically in the context of the sugarcane industry. I have delved deeply into the history of sugarcane and its crucial role in the migration of Puerto Ricans to Hawai'i and California at the turn of the 20th century. Authors such as Blaze Souza, Norma Carr, and Daniel Lopez have been instrumental in documenting the arrival of Puerto Ricans in these regions. In 1975, geographer R.C. Leyland posited that the Puerto Rican population in the greater San Francisco Bay Area until 1925 predominantly originated from families leaving Hawai'i. My research aims to document the activities of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of these early Puerto Rican migrants within the Bay Area's Puerto Rican community. The devastating Lahaina Fires vividly highlighted this connection this August 8th in Maui. These fires triggered a renewed relationship between the Bay Area and Maui. I have closely followed the Puerto Rican Union of Mutual Aid (PRUMA) in Union City, California. PRUMA and the Western Region Puerto Rican Council, a collective of the remaining Bay Area Puerto Rican associations, coordinated a successful $11K fundraising campaign for the victims of the Lahaina fires in Maui, in collaboration with the Maui Puerto Rican Association. My research has underscored the immense value of genealogy and biographical examples in understanding society's social and historical processes. These methods allow me to explore the personal stories and family histories within the Puerto Rican community, particularly for those with roots in both Hawai'i and California. Conducting genealogical work with families like the Pagans helps me to understand how they have maintained circular networks of migration between California and Hawai'i over three generations. This exploration shows why the Bay Area has been a stronghold for these community centers and organizations for many years. https://www.mauipuertoricanassociation.org/Contribute/https://prumacenter.org
Note: Nicole Hernandez is a doctoral student at Arizona State Universtiy and a member of NACOPRW SoCal. Thank you, Nicole, for what you do to preserve our Puerto Rican Heritage in the West Coast. Keep us posted on your findings!
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Nuestras Voces-NACOPRW-SOCAL
VOLUME 3, DECEMBER 2023
BOMBA CONNECTION! NACOPRW SoCal ELECTION TIME: MEMBERS; it’s time to select a new Executive Board to lead us to great 2024 events. An email with a link to vote will be received soon. Don’t forget to vote!
NACOPRW SoCal MEMBERS ATTEND HOUSE OF PUERTO RICO SAN DIEGO HOLIDAY GALA!
DONATIONS UPDATE: The NACOPRW SoCal Board has selected another charity to support this year: The Maui Puerto Rican Association. They have been actively working to help the people affected by the August fires, and there is still much work to be done. We are happy to help our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters that have been affected. TRES REYES MAGOS CELEBRATION AT HPRSD: January 6, 2024 is the first General Membership Meeting of the year for the House of Puerto Rico in San Diego. It is also the celebration of Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day). The Three Kings will be visiting the Casita, telling their stories, and giving gifts to children. Please bring your favorite dish to share in their potluck. A group from our NACOPRW SoCal chapter will be attending. Reach out to any of our board members if you’re interested in joining in the fun.
On Saturday, December 16th, a group of 20 members of our chapter celebrated the Holidays Boricua Style with our friends of House of Puerto Rico in San Diego. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of pernil, arroz con gandules and pasteles from Jibaritos de la Isla restaurant in San Diego and danced non-stop to the rythms of salsa, plena and traditional Puerto Rican Christmas music with the Manny Cepeda Band.
íFeliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR TREASURER AND DEAR FRIEND, SONIA COLON-LAMAS ON HER BIRTHDAY, 12/21/23!
From your NACOPRW SoCal Executive Board
Meet our Newsletter Team: This last edition for 2023 of our newsletter is truly a manifestation of NACOPRW-SoCal's teamwork! In this last edition for the year, we honor our members' accomplishments, and milestones. Marjorie and I provided in our editorial, insights of NACOPRWSoCal's journey throughout 2023, and as you can see, the newsletter documents how NACOPRWSoCal provides a space for Latinas who want to embrace our heritage and pride. You will see in this edition how we continue to work to inspire all women to support young scholars, and to inspire us to give back and help others. I want to thank the amazing newsletter committee and collaborators: Anaida, Gloria, Nicole, Milly, Marjorie, and Luz 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. Have a great Holiday and a Happy New Year!
Nilsa
Nilsa J. Thorsos Anaida Colón Muñiz Committee Chair Copy Editor
Gloria San Miguel Contributor
Marjorie Patton Contributor
Milly C. Lugo-Ríos Nicole Hernández Luz A. Nieves Colón Sonia Colón-Lamas Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor
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