Award for dedication and leadership to Latinas and contribution to the Dominico-Hispano-American literature

My speech-Thanks again

Rhode Island Latina Leadership Institute 2014 Alumni Award Recipient

 

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, distinguished personalities and especially to all our 2014 graduators and our families and friends that are sharing this moment with us as well as the members of the press.

The Rhode Island Latina Leadership Institute, an institute that when I studied there, I found it interesting, different, diverse and promising since my first interview; during which I remember seeing Norelys Consuegra, Doris de los Santos, Jasmin Rincon and Doris Blanchard among other ladies.  I liked the questions, the place, and love very much to see women wanting to help other women.

The retreat amazed me.  The selected place has the path delineated with opulent, high and green pines and to the right of the pathway there was a cabin or building where we spent that day.  The smell of pine, freshness and the surrounding natural environment relaxed my senses.

The challenge given to us was to identify issues affecting the community, to select one and later to present it to all the participants; it  was motivating ; we worked quickly and although  we were nervous, with the expert orientation of Coordinator Grace Gonzalez, we were able to present our speech, and what do you think?  Yesss, my team won.  The truth is that I always remember that day; we ate together at the restaurant nearby which served us a succulent meal, and we concluded the day tired but at the same time energized and with lots of hopes. 

Yes, the activities we had to attend were many, and at times, difficult to get to the location, but the talks were very interesting and informative and allowed us to learn about places we have never been before; and for our peace of mind, we only have to look at the next door room to see our children playing, yes, babysitter service was provided.

I, as probably many of you, had a goal to accomplish and was looking and looking for ways to accomplish it.  When they started moving us from one place to another throughout the city of Providence and nearby cities, I noticed that I have to work harder to obtain my goal.  In each place that we visited, I went up one step toward getting what I came to obtain.  The final project was difficult, but it was completed; I also achieved my goal.  I wanted to learn about the numerous organizations available in the state, and the different services they provide, and how to use them to benefit many people that could not access those services and for my own benefit as well.  I assure you that I not only obtained what I was looking for but much more; I gained the friendship of many of my classmates, among them Carmen Jusino, Varsobia Gallegos, Lucy Rubiano, Shirley Fuentes and many more, and also the absolute support of the Director and coordinators of that time: Doris de los Santos, Sabina Matos y Grace Gonzalez; and as a final gift, I was invited to be one of the coordinators of the next calendar year, work that I have developed with much love since 2009 to 2013. 

During those years, I met women with an incredible motivation to succeed, in particular, I remember a lady who was very discipline, and for whom at times we have to sit near her to translate when the devices used to translate were not working.  Today, she is finishing her master’s degree, and I am sure that the orientation received in the Rhode Island Latina Leadership Institute greatly influenced her future not only in the work place but also in the professional field, her name is Perla Benitez.

 

This institute had and will continue to have lots of triumph stories of the participants due to its contribution in the development and schooling leadership to them. 

Thanks and a big kiss to my children (Rocio and Joseph), motivation of my life, and beloved and inseparable sisters and brothers and my entire family, as well as my book’s editors: Karla, Gladys, Maryann, Lucille and Adys   and all my friends and followers for accepting my books; and for the positive response to my “Anthem to the fathers” to celebrate all the fathers of the world.  

But especially to the people that selected me to receive this important and honoring recognition.  Thanks for appreciating the Dominican-Hispano-American literature contribution that I have been accomplishing during most recent years

To all of you graduating women, I invite you to utilize the acquired knowledge; from now on, you will perfectly realize the learned values and the impact that those values will have in your life forever.

Congratulations to all of you, and I hope that each one of you has achieved the goal that motivated you to participate in this program of the Rhode Island Latina Leadership Institute.