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San Juan, Monday, November 15, 2021As part of its 35th anniversary celebration, the Puerto Rico Community Foundation(FCPR) celebrated today the second delivery of the Rafael and Celestina Cordero Award 2021 35 leaders, hope builders, who lead social transformations on the island. The group of honorees has distinguished themselves through a track record of service, exceptional leadership, and transcendental and innovative changes through non-profit organizations serving geographic or functional communities. Their achievements emulate the lives of two distinguished Puerto Ricans, Rafael and Celestina Cordero, who, with humility, perseverance, and dedication, managed to overcome social barriers and focus on their purpose of educating.
“For the Foundation, the Award represents the carrying out of a celebration of our trajectory, honoring community leadership, which has accompanied us and continues to accompany us in the execution of our mission. They are creators of hope, leaders who have dedicated themselves to paving the way in the collective work of our island, even during times of emergencies such as the recent hurricanes Irma and Maria, the earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the President and Chief Executive Officer of the FCPR, [Name]. Doctor Nelson I. Colón Tarrats. “These 35 leaders live with the passion, commitment, courage, and hope that motivated Rafael and Celestina to fulfill their call for social justice through education,” he added.
He also highlighted that this year the award was renamed to incorporate the figure of Celestina Cordero. “Little has been said about the fact that Maestro Rafael had two sisters who were educators, of whom Celestina stands out. She was one of the first free black women of that era and dedicated herself to the education of girls. As part of her feat, she bravely and determinedly requested that her school be financially supported and that she be granted an official teaching position in San Juan, at a time when such a position was not recognized for women...” indicated Colón Tarrats.
The ceremony was dedicated to Ms. Maria Dolores Fernos, professor, feminist activist, and former member of the FCPR Board of Directors. In this edition of the Award, Dr. Anto María García Blanco, a pioneer of Montessori education in Puerto Rico and one of the honorees, offered a special message during the event, broadcast live via the FCPR's YouTube channelPress here to view the ceremony recording). A posthumous tribute was also paid to Faustina “Tinti” Deyá, community leader and co-founder of Casa Pueblo. This distinction was received by her husband, engineer Alexis Massol.
Each awardee received a commemorative piece crafted by the artist Julian Andres Ortiz, which highlights sketches by Rafael and Celestina, in hatching technique; a personal financial contribution and another for the organization to which they are affiliated. They will also receive the commemorative publication. 35 Forgers of Hope,book containing the profiles of the 35 awardees. The economic contribution was made possible, in part, by contributions from citizens through the fundraising campaign 35 Forgers of Hope.
The selection of the group was handled by the governing and working bodies of the FCPR, who executed a rigorous evaluation and selection process for the individuals nominated by the Board of Directors, former Board members, and FCPR staff. The majority of those selected have been leaders with whom the Foundation has interacted in one way or another throughout its 35-year history.
Each person's life missions embrace women, deaf people, burn victims, the elderly, people with autism, blind people, or incarcerated individuals; and children, girls, youth, and geographical or functional communities to which they contribute their knowledge in health, agriculture, education, planning, building racial equity, spirituality, and philanthropy. Their leadership is exercised at the head of non-profit organizations or in collaboration with them.
The 35 hope builders are: Alejandro H. Silva Díaz, executive director of Puerto Rican Minds in Action; Amárilis Pagán Jiménez, JD, Executive Director of Proyecto Matria; Dr. Ana María García Blanco, director of the New School Institute; Ana Yris Guzman, President and CEO of Nuestra Escuela; Dr. Antonia Coello Novello, VOCES PR; Monsignor Antonio José Vázquez Colón (Father Tito), County community; Bonnie Guzmán Enseñat, President of the A-Mar Foundation; Carlos J. Adorno Irizarry, community water system associations; Carmen Villanueva Castro, Parcelas Hill Brothers community; Agronomist Dalma E. Cartagena Colón, communities of Orocovis; Dulce María del Rio-Pineda, cofundadora de Mujeres de Islas; Eduardo Carrera Morales, presidente de Boys and Girls Club de Puerto Rico; Eduardo Sánchez Pérez, presidente Comunidad Las Corujas Inc.; Elia Enid Cadilla, presidenta de A Flor de Piel; Padre Enrique M. Camacho Monserrate (Padre Kike), director ejecutivo de Cáritas de Puerto Rico; Padre Feliciano Rodríguez Domínguez, Comunidad Organizada de San Salvador (COSS) y Pirucho Coop.; Francisco J. Valentín Soto, presidente de la Corporación de Servicios de Salud Primaria y Desarrollo Socioeconómico El OTOAO; doctor Giovanni Martínez Mújica, fundador de Surf4Dem; chef Iván Clemente, presidente del Comedor de la Kennedy; doctor Jaime Claudio Villamil, fundador de la Coaliación de Sabiduría COVID-19 de Puerto Rico; José “Tito” Figueroa Pesquera, presidente de la Comunidad Toro Negro Inc.; José M. Santos Valderrama, Bosque Modelo de Puerto Rico; Joyce M. Dávila Paz, fundadora de la Alianza de Autismo de Puerto Rico; Lourdes R. Miranda, fundadora de la Fundación Lourdes Miranda; Marcos Santana Andújar, director ejecutivo de la Red por los Derechos de la Niñez y la Juventud; doctora Mariluz Franco Ortiz, comunidad asesora Colectivo Ilé; la planificadora Marina Moscoso Arabía, cofundadora de la Casa Taft 169; Michael I. Fernández Frey, fundador de Caras con Causa; Modesta Irizarry Ortiz, comunidad Loizeña; Oscar López Rodríguez, comunidad de Cercadillo en Cayey; Sor Carmen Ferrandis Navarro HFI, directora administrativa del Colegio San Gabriel para Niños Sordos; Tania Rosario Méndez, directora ejecutiva de Taller Salud; Wanda N. Santiago Torres, directora ejecutiva del Centro de Microempresas y Tecnologías Agrícolas Sustentables de Yauco; doctora Wanda I. Pacheco Bou, fundadora de Respiro en Red; y Zinnia Yarila Alejandro Cordero, directora de la Iniciativa Paz y Desarrollo de Taller Salud.