Presiding officer Norma Gonsalves recently attended the 10th Annual Latina Hat Luncheon hosted by The Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony proudly honored hardworking, inspirational woman leaders, role models and advocates on Long Island.
The Chamber honored six outstanding women that overcame many personal, economic and cultural obstacles in order to achieve this recognition. “I am pleased to have attended such a distinguished event,” said Presiding Officer Gonsalves. “These women serve as exceptional role models to all girls in their surrounding communities.”
The honored woman were; Karen Chavez, New York Racetrack Chaplainry, as “Community Service Advocate of the year”. Ms. Chavez has organized recreational, educational and religious programs for families that reside at all three racetracks in New York. Eli Rizo of the Jones Beach Hotel Group was named “President Award CEO of the Year”. Ms. Rizo is an entrepreneur in music and fashion, President of the Jones Beach Hotel Group, and owner /operator of the Landmark and Per Un Angelo Restaurant.
Also honored were, Yazmin Cruz of Image Marketing Inc., as “Entrepreneur of the Year”. Ms. Cruz works to effectively and inexpensively to improve marketing strategies for small to medium size businesses and has worked with over 500 corporate companies in New York. Nina Castro- McCann of Forchelli Law Group LLP was ‘Director of the Year”. Ms. Castro-McCann Director of Marketing and Public Relations is a member of the firm’s Marketing Committee which handles the firm’s political and charitable programs.
Rosa Arreaga Negron of Armao LLP, was titled “Business Woman of the Year”. Ms. Arreaga Negron specializes in auditing and government reporting as pertaining to labor union benefit plans and nonprofit organizations, and is the founding partner of the firm Armao en Español. Lastly, Rosa Rhoden of PWEG Long Island was given the “Distinctive Service Award”. Ms. Rhoden is an experienced event manager, project developer, strategic planner and community server. She developed the idea to honor Latina woman and serves as the Chair of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Latina Hat Luncheon.
The Latina Hat Luncheon was hosted by President of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Luis Vazquez, and was held at The Carltun at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow NY on Friday May 15th; the event is held annually and is attended by a diverse audience of local officials, business and the press.
Pictured: Nassau County Community Relations Liaison Vanessa Diaz, Long Island Chamber of Commerce Member Camila Carusone, Eli Rizo, Rosa Arreaga Negron, Presiding Officer Gonsalves, Linda Mangano, Deputy Mayor of Village of Hempstead Luis Figueroa, Karen Chavez, Yasmin Cruz, Long Island Chamber of Commerce Member Elizabeth Custodio, and Long Island Chamber of Commerce Members Xiomara Leto and Pilar Delgado.