LATINAStyle®
Founder & Publisher Anna Maria Arias
President & CEO Robert E. Bard
Robert@latinastyle.com
Chief Operating Lupita Colmenero
Officer Lupita@latinastyle.com
Managing Editor Gloria Romano-Barrera
Gloria@latinastyle.com
Graphic Designer Andrea Saadvandi
Andrea@latinastyle.com
Contributing Einer Agredo
Graphic Designer Einer@latinastyle.com
Contributors Amanda Fins
Anita Sanchez
Rear Adm. Christina “Tina” Alvarado
Christine Bolaños
F. Michael Sena
Jen Martínez
Lindsey All
Congressman Luis Gutierrez
Marisa Rivera
Sue Mead
Victoria M. Ramirez-Solis
Senior Events Manager Tania Einhorn
Tania@latinastyle.com
Director of Special LCDR Johnny Quezada, USN (Ret.)
Programs and Military johnny.d@latinastyle.com
Affairs
Circulation Manager Maria E. Gallegos
& Subscriptions maru@latinastyle.com
Executive Assistant Beana Ramirez
to the President Beana.d@latinastyle.com
Corporate Diana E. Martinez, MBA
Relations Manager Diana@latinastyle.com
Interns Shelby Hill
Colleen Betik
Teresa Zubillaga
Web Address www.latinastyle.com
Web Site by: vicom.com
Stock Photography istockphoto.com
Photo cover provided by HISPANIC VIP
LATINA Style is published bimonthly by LATINA Style, Inc. 2102 Empire
Central, Dallas, TX, 75235. Subscriptions are available at $20 for two years
for a total of 12 issues. To subscribe to LATINA Style call (214) 357-2186 or send
checks to LATINA Style Magazine, 2102 Empire Central, Dallas, TX,
75235. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial
or advertising matter. Editorial submissions must be accompanied by a
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for return of unsolicited manuscripts or art. No part of this magazine may
be reprinted or otherwise duplicated without the written permission of
the editor. Copyright by LATINA Style, Inc. All rights reserved. "LATINA
Style" (ISSN 1531-0868). Vol. 23, No. 6, November/December, 2017.
Robert E. Bard Publisher’s Message
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Congressman
Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)
As we come to the end of 2017 and our 23rd year of publication, I
ponder upon our journey since 1998. So much has changed
that it is difficult to imagine what our lives were like then. I
remember the seemingly insurmountable challenges that we faced,
but somehow, we always made it work. Alot changed when our
founder and publisher, Anna Maria Arias passed away in October
2001. I never thought that I would be able to successfully continue
her legacy and bring the company where it is today.
So many of you have been instrumental in making LATINA Style what
it is today, and without your support it would have never happened. Thank
you all for your friendship and support. What has really hit me this year are
the number of friends who are retiring and passing the torch. Most
notably I am sad that Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen will no longer
be serving in the U.S. Congress. The same is true for Congressman
Luis Gutierrez who has been one of our strongest supporters on the Hill.
We wish him and her the greatest of success in their future endeavors.
In the crazy universe that we live now, they were both strong voices
for working for all the people. Today, I am challenged to find politicians
working for America — all of America. Serving their constituents is
what they have been elected for, but serving America is the mission.
D.C. has become the worst reality show that you could have possibly
created. The #MeToo movement is creating a wave of change so long
suppressed that we can’t imagine that the abuse has been going on for
all these years unchecked. I venture to say that Latinas have very seldom
reported being the victims of harassment and abuse. IT IS NOT THEIR
FAULT and it is time that we learn to listen and support them. We hope
that the changes we are experiencing will deliver a brighter future as
we move on to the next year.
In this issue, we are proud to recognize the award winners of the
National LATINA Symposium. These outstanding Latinas serving our
country in the armed services are some of our most dedicated leaders in
the nation. We also highlight the Latina Executives of the Year and the
Employee Resource Groups of the year. As you can see, there are so
many role models in our country that we would be crazy not to follow
them. From all of us at LATINA Style, Parents Step Ahead and El
Hispano News, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a safe,
and prosperous new year.
4 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 23, No. 6, 2017