DISCOVERY
FAMILIA HONORS OUTSTANDING WOMEN DURING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AT “ESA SOY YO
– SOY LATINA” AWARDS CEREMONY
Channel
partners with National Hispana Leadership Institute and CentroNía to host
Congressional, government and national Latina leaders, for their contributions
and impact throughout the country
Washington, DC [CapitalWirePR] September
15, 2011 – Today, Discovery Familia, the only Spanish-language
network fully dedicated to serving the needs of U.S. Hispanic moms and their
preschool children, recognized important Hispanic leaders and their
contributions to this nation. The “Esa Soy Yo - Soy Latina” awards ceremony
took place in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill, in partnership
with the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) and CentroNía. The
audience present at the awards ceremony was comprised of Hispanic leaders from
across the public and private sector.
The “Esa Soy Yo - Soy Latina” awards ceremony,
hosted by Jeannette Torres-Alvarez, early childhood expert and Discovery
Familia’s brand ambassador, honored five Latinas who have championed causes
important to women, the Hispanic community and the country as a whole. These
women personify the network’s four cornerstones of positive community
leadership: Luchadora (fighter), Emprendedora (enterprising), Creativa
(creative) and Soñadora (dreamer).
Distinguished Leaders Honored
Hilda L. Solis, U.S. Secretary of Labor: Solis
has spent the better part of two decades championing workers' rights, and has
described herself as an environmentalist, an ally of working families, and
"an unabashed crusader for women's rights." Prior to
confirmation as Secretary of Labor in 2009, Secretary Solis represented the
32nd Congressional District in California, a position she held from 2001 –
2009.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, U.S. Congresswoman:
Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen represents Florida’s 18th Congressional District. Of
75 women now serving in the House, 24 are Republicans. Only one of those 24 GOP
women, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, chairs a full committee. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the
first Latina in Congress, and the first Latina and woman Chair of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee.
Linda Sánchez, U.S. Congresswoman: Recognized as
a leading voice for working families, judiciary, and trade matters, Congresswoman
Linda Sanchez represents California’s 39th Congressional District. She
has broken many barriers by becoming the first Latina to serve on the Judiciary
Committee. She is mom to a preschool son – Joaquin.
Beatriz “BB” Otero, Deputy Mayor Health and Human
Services: Ms. Otero is the first Latina Deputy Mayor of Health and Human
Services in the District of Columbia. Her work championing children and
families has earned her accolades and recognition throughout her career.
She is the founder of CentroNía, a nationally recognized, bilingual
multicultural learning center that has received numerous awards for its
innovative approach to quality education.
Marisa Rivera, President MPowerment Works, former
President of NHLI: Ms. Rivera has been developing and inspiring tomorrow’s
Hispanic female leaders since 1999, when she was appointed President of NHLI.
Now, she is at the helm of MPowerment and Works, a consulting firm designed to
impact global change by empowering women across the globe. Ms. Rivera has been
an ardent supporter and galvanizer for women to excel at all levels of public
and elected office.
“This awards ceremony was an important portion of
a broader celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month,” says Bilai Joa Silar, Vice
President and Channel Director for Discovery Familia and Discovery en Español.
“It is our goal, on-air and off, to pay tribute to strong, diverse, empowered
and unquestionably unique Hispanic women who inspire others to reach higher and
dream bigger than ever, for their families and themselves.”
To cultivate and harness the talent and energy of
the Latina woman is a feat that the National Hispana Leadership Institute
(NHLI) has devoted itself to for over 20 years. Discovery Familia’s partnership
with NHLI and CentroNía, an organization which integrates diversity and honors
cultural traditions while it prepares children for their next steps in life,
celebrates their joint mission to empower Hispanic women and to create a strong
educational and cultural foundation for preschoolers.
“The National Hispana Leadership Institute is
pleased to partner with Discovery Familia to honor Latina leaders who have made
a difference in the lives of so many people. These women are role models
that all Latinas look up to and exemplify the type of leader that NHLI trains
others to be. We are happy to be part of this event that pays tribute to
our Latina leaders,” says Barbara J. DesMarteau, Acting President of the
National Hispana Leadership Institute.
“At CentroNía we are proud to celebrate the outstanding
accomplishments of Latinas in the U.S. and congratulate and thank the award
winners for their contributions. We are particularly proud
that our founder, BB Otero, is being honored today among such an amazing group
of Latina leaders. Because of her vision, CentroNía has been providing high
quality, affordable child care services for Latina mothers in our community for
25 years,” says Myrna Peralta, Acting Executive Director of CentroNía.
Demonstrated Commitment to the Growth and Future
of Hispanic Women
Discovery Familia is now in 3 million homes, well
on its way to making its projected reach of 4 million by year’s end. The
network exercises this reach and sphere of influence to make a positive
difference in the Hispanic community. During Hispanic Heritage Month, the
network will also air a special spot entitled "Esa Soy Yo,"
which was created specifically to celebrate the strength, resilience and
influence of Hispanic women.
The network celebrates the Hispanic traditions
and culture and initiates beneficial community projects, not only during
Hispanic Heritage Month but throughout the year. Earlier this year, Discovery
Familia also joined forces with The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and
Nutrition (PCFSN) through their President’s Challenge program Presidential
Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) to provide U.S. Hispanic moms with encouragement,
information, tools and tips to help them and their kids lead healthier
lifestyles and share quality time while being physically active. For more information
on how to participate in the network’s Million PALA Challenge log on to www.discoveryfamilia.com.
Discovery Familia is also participating in
“Discover Your Skills,” a multimedia public affairs campaign, created by
Discovery Communications, which kicked off at the end of August. “Discover Your
Skills” provides unemployed and underemployed Americans access to critical
resources for obtaining marketable job skills and to raise awareness of career
opportunities. As a part of this initiative, Discovery Familia is airing a
series of PSAs featuring the network’s brand ambassador Jeannette
Torres-Alvarez, to increase awareness among Hispanics about career
opportunities in the skilled trades. She will also emphasize the importance of
the training necessary for careers in manufacturing, healthcare, technology and
other critical industries.
Resources for the Discovery Your Skills
initiative can be accessed through www.discoveryourskills.com.
About Discovery Familia
Part of Discovery Communications, Discovery
Familia is the only Spanish language network completely dedicated to the
Hispanic mom and what’s important to her: her kids, her home and her
well-being. With insightful programming targeted to children aged 2-6,
the network’s daily Discovery Kids block provides a safe, entertaining and
curriculum-based co-viewing experience that helps preschoolers get ready for
the real world. Each night, Discovery Familia is programmed for mom, spanning
relevant topics from cooking and home improvement, to parenting and
relationships, to beauty and health. With trusted content, entertaining
programs and unmatched quality, Discovery Familia is a place that Hispanic moms
and their children can call “home”.
About The National Hispana Leadership Institute
(NHLI)
The National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI)
is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to offering leadership
development for Latinas across the country through week long trainings,
conferences and webinars. NHLI's flagship training, the Executive Leadership
Program offers 22 Latinas a compressive four week program across nine months
with sessions at Harvard University and the Center for Creative Leadership.
Over 500 Latinas have graduated from our award winning program. To learn more
visit www.nhli.org
About CentroNía
CentroNía is a nationally recognized,
award-winning educational organization founded 25 years ago by BB Otero that
provides affordable, high quality education, professional development and
family support services in a bilingual, multicultural environment to more than
1500 children and their families in DC and Maryland. For more information visit www.centronia.org.
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