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2009

Sindy Benavides

Sindy Benavides is the Director of Community Outreach & Voting for the Democratic National Committee in Washington D. C. She received her B.A. from Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, where she graduated valedictorian of her class and studied Political Science with a minor in Spanish. She later received her M.A. degree in International Affairs from the School of International Service at American University, Washington, D. C. Sindy is fluent in Spanish and English, understands and reads French, and is learning Arabic. She believes that giving back to the community through public service is an investment in our future. She is the founder and president of the League of United Latina American Citizens (LULAC) Council 4611 (Richmond). A native of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, she is the daughter of immigrants and extremely proud of her immigrant heritage. Sindy is a 2009 graduate of NHLI’s Executive Leadership Program.

Idalia M. Lechuga-Tena

Idalia M. Lechuga-Tena has been a part of the Albuquerque Mayor’s Administration under Martin Chavez since April 2007. She received her B.A. in Economics and Political Science with a concentration in International Politics from the University of New Mexico. During her undergraduate career, Idalia studied at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, and attended summer school in Paris, France. She wrote an electronic academic research book on the positive effects of the immigration spectrum in the United States in the economic and political sector, with a concentration in Latino immigration which she has written in Spanish, French, and English, and has presented in conferences throughout the U.S. Idalia is fluent in French, Italian, Spanish, and English and is a native of Chihuahua, México. Idalia is a graduate of NHLI’s Latinas Learning to Lead Class of 2006.

Alicia Rascon

Alicia Rascon is the Chief Executive Officer/Co-Founder, Latinitas, the only digital magazine whose mission is to empower Latina youth through media and technology. Alicia is dedicated to reminding her readers that they strong and confident by providing several opportunities to discover their voice and develop media skills while building a solid foundation for the future. The webzine does this through several venues including the articles and interactive site: www. latinitasmagazine.org and fun girl-oriented camps, after-school programs, mentor projects, and workshops focused on media. Rascon has vast experience in media including previous positions as development associate for the Austin Children’s Museum, a production assistant at National Public Radio’s Latino USA and as the director of communications for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County. In addition, Alicia is civically engaged in her community through various organizations including LULAC, the Junior League Hispanic Mother/Daughter Program, and La Luz de Amistad and served on the board of the Girl Scouts–Lone Star Council. She is currently a member of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas an organization dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in public, corporate and civic life. Alicia earned a Bachelor’s in Journalism from the University of Texas with a minor in Mexican American Studies. She was born in Jalisco, Mexico currently resides in El Paso, Texas.