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Celebrating Latinas in our Organization
Recognizing some of the many Latinas in Girl Scouting
Name: Patricia Diaz Dennis
Connection to Girl Scouts: Chair, National Board
Description of role and responsibilities: The highest ranking volunteer within the Girl Scout Movement, Patricia Diaz Dennis, chairs the 40-person board as it oversees and supports the world's preeminent organization for girls' leadership development.
Outside job: Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for AT&T in San Antonio, Texas.
What it means for you to be a Latina: I received the "badge" of which I'm most proud October 10, 2005, when I was elected to serve as the first Latina Chair of the National Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of the USA. This accomplishment is my most prized because Girl Scouting makes a difference in so many lives—this is saying a lot after a "few" decades as an attorney, including working for three presidents.
I am proud GSUSA values and promotes diversity in every aspect of its organization. Hispanic Heritage Month is a good time to reflect on our legacy and commitment, and what they mean for Latinas.
I was the first in my family to go to college and I am proof of how much Latinas contribute and can achieve in America. Being Latina means my roots run very deep in this great nation. My forbearers were living in this country when part of it was Mexico. Texas, Arizona, New Mexico—were all Mexico at one time—and the rest of the world came to us!
As a Latina daughter, leader, wife, mother and new grandmother, I know women are always a source of wisdom and strength for their families – this is especially true in Hispanic culture. From grandmothers to mothers to daughters, we pass our legacy on across generations, borders and time. I see the values of character, honesty, respect, justice and compassion my parents gave me reflected throughout the Girl Scout movement.
It is sometimes said the power of the Girl Scout experience to unleash the potential of girls and young women is the best kept secret in America – this is especially true in Hispanic families. I'm working to change that.
Every Latina will find in Girl Scouting a place to celebrate what we already treasure, as well as many amazing opportunities to learn how to make wise choices and lead her life with intentionality. There is no doubt Latinos are an ever stronger driving force in our society. I know my work with Girl Scouts ensures Latinas, and all girls, will take their rightful places as leaders. Anything is possible in America. Anything is possible in Girl Scouting.
Name: Norma Barquet
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| Norma Barquet, Executive Vice President, Mission to Market |
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Connection to Girl Scouts: Executive Vice President, Mission to Market, Girl Scouts of the USA
Description of role and responsibilities: Provides leadership to the department responsible for developing the programs for girls, the services to councils, the recruitment and retention of girl and adult volunteers, and the global aspects of Girl Scouting.
What it means for you to be a Latino/Hispanic: The late Mexican philosopher Jose de Vasconcelos referred to people whose origins are in Latin America as the "cosmic race" because they have the blood of all the world's races: Native-American, African, Asian and European. The term refers to the notion that traditional, exclusive concepts of race and nationality can be transcended in the name of humanity's common destiny. Take music, for instance. Cuban and Brazilian rhythms are a melodic fusion of global cultures. That is why this music resonates with people from all over the world.
Similarly, Latinos represent every race, ethnicity and religion in the world. Many of us are multicultural, multilingual and, as a result, have the potential to be bridge-builders – catalysts for increased human understanding and appreciation of diversity.
My family is a great representation of that mixture of cultures. For my children and me—every day is a holiday. We celebrate our Hispanic, Arabic and Irish Heritage. We are equally proud of all of our sources of culture and tradition.
I believe Latinos in general, and Latinas specifically, have the potential to make the world a better place. That is also the mission of Girl Scouting. I am proud to be Latina and a Girl Scout. My goal is to be a catalyst for peace, justice and human understanding.
Name: Sophie Gavilanes
Connection to Girl Scouts: Membership-Program Specialist, Girl Scouts - Illinois Crossroads Council
Role/Responsibilities: The marketing and delivery of Girl Scout programs.
What it means to be Latino: It is important to realize how powerful the group really is and how to use that to make positive changes.
Name: Loretta Hernandez
Connection to Girl Scouts: Membership-Program Specialist, Girl Scouts - Illinois Crossroads Council
Role/Responsibilities: The marketing and delivery of Girl Scout programs.
What it means to be Latino: No matter what part of Latin America we come from, we have the power to help others and help ourselves to become homeowners, further our education and become entrepreneurs. We strive to hold onto who we are and at the same time attempt to assimilate to new ways of doing things. We are as diverse as the world we live in. Que vivan los Latinos!!! And in the famous words of Celia Cruz—AZUCAR!!! A day without a Latino—now that is a thought to ponder!
Name: Patricia Reyes
Connection to Girl Scouts: Girl Recruitment Manager, Girl Scouts - Illinois Crossroads Council
Role/Responsibilities: The marketing, delivery and management of girl membership and programs; developing community collaborations, recruitment of girls and adult volunteers, training of staff, helping with management of grant funding and translating of materials into Spanish.
What it means to be Latino: To be a Latina today means that I have the ability to positively influence other young women. More and more Latinos are aspiring higher and reaching their goals and I get to play an important role in expanding their horizons, introducing them to new things and helping them see there are no limitations.
Name: Angela Jarrad Fuentes
Connection to Girl Scouts: Volunteer, Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas
Role/Responsibilities: Dance teacher for after-school programs featuring a variety of dances from Latin to folklore.
What it means to be a Latino: Family and community are the central aspects of our culture and these aspects are part of the defining factors of being Latina. I could not tell you in a few words what it means to me to be a Latina except pride and hope for the future. Hope that our future will be as bright as any other immigrant that has come into this country and become an American.
Name: Rita Marlene Monroy De la Cruz
Connection to Girl Scouts: Director of Membership/Outreach Services, Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas
Role/Responsibilities: Supervises the delivery and extension of the Girl Scout program in the community by developing and implementing strategies and a comprehensive plan for girl and adult membership growth.
What it means to be a Latino/Hispanic: Being Hispanic gives me great pride! I am lucky to have an extended family that includes relatives, godparents, "compadres," friends of the family and neighbors. Family and respect for others is at the core of these values, especially for older people. I have been in the United States for almost 22 years and I am happy to be in a position to provide Hispanic girls with leadership learning opportunities through the Girl Scout Program.
Name: Betty Villarreal
Connection to Girl Scouts: Membership Manager/Special Initiatives, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
Role/Responsibilities: To help Girl Scout programs flourish in Philadelphia neighborhoods (mostly Hispanic) where traditional Girl Scouting has had difficulty taking root. To this end, I develop community collaborations to host Girl Scout programs, and help to recruit girls and adults to lead and participate.
What it means to be a Latino: I continue to embrace my Latin heritage while I live in this country in order to spread the beauty of my culture to others. This allows me to share who I am with the world, especially the Girl Scouts while embracing all this country and the Girl Scouts has to offer.
Name: Angie J. Gonzalez
Connection to Girl Scouts: Fund Development Director for the Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas
Role/Responsibilities: My responsibilities include but are not limited to fundraising, grant writing and representing Girl Scouts.
What it means for me to be Hispanic: Being Hispanic means taking your culture, values and traditions, embracing them and sharing them with the world. I am proud to be Hispanic woman who can make the world a better place!
Name: Joanne Ureste
Connection to Girl Scouts: Membership Executive for the Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas
Role/Responsibilities: Help recruit girls to become Girl Scouts, work with volunteers individually and in groups, and be a positive role model for the Girl Scouts.
What it means to be a Latina: As a Latina, I am very grateful to have a supporting family who has taught me and provided me with great morals, values, and role models. I am proud to be a Latina.
Name: Marisol Morales
Connection to Girl Scouts: Part time Membership Specialist at Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County
Role/Responsibilities: Work in underserved schools of our community, eastside San Jose – targeting the Hispanic community. Promote the various opportunities that Girl Scouts offer to young girls and parents.
What it means to be a Latina: As a Latina that is fluent in both Spanish and English I have found many opportunities to help people in the community. I am proud of my Mexican heritage because it has taught me to be humble, courageous, caring and to have respect for myself and others.
Name: Michelle Rios Dominguez
Connection to Girl Scouts: Troop leader from Spencer, N.Y., Girl Scouts - Seven Lakes Council, Inc.
Role/Responsibilities: Also acts as the Family Share Campaign Manager for her service unit.
What it means to be a Latina: To be Latina, to me means to have passion, traditions and a rich culture. It's like being part of a large colorful quilt, each block has its own beauty and details, but together it's breathtaking. Our house is always full of music, food and family. As a Hispanic women I find it important for my children to know and have pride in where they have come from and pass it on to their children.
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