Mission Statement
2023
Latina Fifty-Plus is a non-partisan Bronx based 501(c) (3) non-profit, that pays tribute to Latinas fifty years of age and up who were pioneers in various career fields. Latinas who shaped their careers in a time when Latina women ventured onto pathways where very few were seen or accepted. The program acknowledges these trailblazers who were among the first in their professions. Latinas who faced the challenges of racial discrimination and social justice issues but continued their career paths with purpose and dedication. Latina 50 Plus’s focus will be to create space for these leaders to meet and discuss their achievements through personal narratives. They can provide a historical perspective on what it was like to have lived in a time when Latina feminism was not the norm or tolerated. By sharing their narratives Latina 50 Plus will not only create opportunities for to share their legacies, but to also create a platform for younger generations to learn from.
These career-minded professionals were the leaders who fought to dispel commonly held
stereotypes, some of which are still with us today. By honoring these Latina leaders,
we are honoring our history as women of a certain generation who laid down the steppingstones.
of change for future generations of Latinas. These are the women who mentored and inspired
younger women to pursue their own dreams and realize their own goals.
In appreciation of these Latina leaders, Latina 50 Plus will honor them at an annual Networking Event and Award Ceremony (formerly the Latina 50 Plus Annual Award Ceremony). As of 2023, Latina 50 Plus will be awarding newly named awards that will encompass the original awards: arts, community service, education, healthcare/medicine, law, and literature.
From 2014 to 2021 Latina 50 Plus as awarded the following: 48 Honoree Awards, 7 Lifetime Achievement Awards, and 7 Academic Scholarships.
Maria Aponte -Founder and President Latina 50 Plus Inc.
2023
Latina Fifty-Plus is a non-partisan Bronx based 501(c) (3) non-profit, that pays tribute to Latinas fifty years of age and up who were pioneers in various career fields. Latinas who shaped their careers in a time when Latina women ventured onto pathways where very few were seen or accepted. The program acknowledges these trailblazers who were among the first in their professions. Latinas who faced the challenges of racial discrimination and social justice issues but continued their career paths with purpose and dedication. Latina 50 Plus’s focus will be to create space for these leaders to meet and discuss their achievements through personal narratives. They can provide a historical perspective on what it was like to have lived in a time when Latina feminism was not the norm or tolerated. By sharing their narratives Latina 50 Plus will not only create opportunities for to share their legacies, but to also create a platform for younger generations to learn from.
These career-minded professionals were the leaders who fought to dispel commonly held
stereotypes, some of which are still with us today. By honoring these Latina leaders,
we are honoring our history as women of a certain generation who laid down the steppingstones.
of change for future generations of Latinas. These are the women who mentored and inspired
younger women to pursue their own dreams and realize their own goals.
In appreciation of these Latina leaders, Latina 50 Plus will honor them at an annual Networking Event and Award Ceremony (formerly the Latina 50 Plus Annual Award Ceremony). As of 2023, Latina 50 Plus will be awarding newly named awards that will encompass the original awards: arts, community service, education, healthcare/medicine, law, and literature.
From 2014 to 2021 Latina 50 Plus as awarded the following: 48 Honoree Awards, 7 Lifetime Achievement Awards, and 7 Academic Scholarships.
Maria Aponte -Founder and President Latina 50 Plus Inc.
Maria Aponte - Founder and President & CFO
MARIA APONTE is a Poet/Performance Artist/ Community Arts Activist/Educator. Maria's works includes addressing racial discrimination and women’s rights in Latino Theatre . She has written and performs her two one woman shows, Lagrimas de mis Madres an autobiographical play based on the women in her family, and I Will Not be Silenced based on the life of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Maria performs her work at colleges/universities/ conferences locally and nationally. She has been featured on Bronx Net, News 12, NBC Latino and WABC-TV. Maria has been published in The Marymount Review, the literary magazine of Marymount Manhattan College. She studied at the Iowa University Summer Writer’s Workshop. Her one woman show, Lagrimas de Mis Madres was published by Marquette University and Western Michigan University in Caribe Revista de Cultura y Literatura. She has been published in Phati’tude Literary Magazine’s issue; ¿What’s in a Nombre? Writing Latin@ Identity in America, The Nuyorican Women Writers Anthology published in Voices e/Magazine, the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College- CUNY; an online literary journal, editor Dr. Nancy Mercado.
In May 2013 Maria’s first book, Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella won 2nd Place for Best Poetry in English at the International Latino Book Awards. Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella is listed on RockThoseReads selected books about Harlem by Total Equity Now. Maria’s second book, The Gift of Loss her memoir, won 2nd Place for Best Autobiography at the 2017 International Latino Book Awards. Maria has her Masters in Latin American/Latino Studies from Fordham University. Maria is the former Assistant Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion and Career Counselor in Career Services at Fordham University. Maria recently retired from Fordham University, but will continue to work with students in the Bronx Community in other programs.
In June 2014, Maria launched Latina 50 Plus a 501 (c)(3) non- profit dedicated to Latinas 50 and up who dedicated their lives to career fields in Arts, Community Service, Education, Healthcare/Medicine, Law and Literature. Since 2014, Latina 50 Plus has hosted networking events that included components in wellness and professional development. Latina 50 Plus has honored 26 Latina 50 Plus, given out 2 scholarships in Education and 3 Latina 50 Plus Dr. Evelina Antonetty Community Service Scholarships. The highlight of Latina 50 Plus is the Latina 50 Plus Luncheon/Award Ceremony that honors a Latina 50 Plus in each of the career categories mentioned above. Maria is the Founder and President of Latina 50 Plus.
Awards:
2019 Fordham University Archbishop Hughes Metal for 20 years of service
2018 The New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc Special Recognition for Career Achievement Service to the Hispanic Community
2017 Honorary Madrina El Museo Del Barrio Three Kings 40th Parade The 9th Annual Taino Awards Guaitiao/Friendship Award for Community
Comite Noviembre Lo Mejor de Nuestra Communidad
2016 Bronx Times 25 Bronx Influential Women June
In 2010, Maria received the V-DAY Award for special recognition for her work with women in the arts from the Eve Ensler Foundation for “someone who has suffered or witnessed violence, and then does extraordinary work to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else in their community.
In 2010, Maria received the V-DAY Award for special recognition for her work with women in the arts from the Eve Ensler Foundation for “someone who has suffered or witnessed violence, and then does extraordinary work to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else in their community.
For more information please visit her website
www.mariaaponte.com
Maria Aponte - Founder and President & CFO
MARIA APONTE is a Poet/Performance Artist/ Community Arts Activist/Educator. Maria's works includes addressing racial discrimination and women’s rights in Latino Theatre . She has written and performs her two one woman shows, Lagrimas de mis Madres an autobiographical play based on the women in her family, and I Will Not be Silenced based on the life of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Maria performs her work at colleges/universities/ conferences locally and nationally. She has been featured on Bronx Net, News 12, NBC Latino and WABC-TV. Maria has been published in The Marymount Review, the literary magazine of Marymount Manhattan College. She studied at the Iowa University Summer Writer’s Workshop. Her one woman show, Lagrimas de Mis Madres was published by Marquette University and Western Michigan University in Caribe Revista de Cultura y Literatura. She has been published in Phati’tude Literary Magazine’s issue; ¿What’s in a Nombre? Writing Latin@ Identity in America, The Nuyorican Women Writers Anthology published in Voices e/Magazine, the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College- CUNY; an online literary journal, editor Dr. Nancy Mercado.
In May 2013 Maria’s first book, Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella won 2nd Place for Best Poetry in English at the International Latino Book Awards. Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella is listed on RockThoseReads selected books about Harlem by Total Equity Now. Maria’s second book, The Gift of Loss her memoir, won 2nd Place for Best Autobiography at the 2017 International Latino Book Awards. Maria has her Masters in Latin American/Latino Studies from Fordham University. Maria is the former Assistant Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion and Career Counselor in Career Services at Fordham University. Maria recently retired from Fordham University, but will continue to work with students in the Bronx Community in other programs.
In June 2014, Maria launched Latina 50 Plus a 501 (c)(3) non- profit dedicated to Latinas 50 and up who dedicated their lives to career fields in Arts, Community Service, Education, Healthcare/Medicine, Law and Literature. Since 2014, Latina 50 Plus has hosted networking events that included components in wellness and professional development. Latina 50 Plus has honored 26 Latina 50 Plus, given out 2 scholarships in Education and 3 Latina 50 Plus Dr. Evelina Antonetty Community Service Scholarships. The highlight of Latina 50 Plus is the Latina 50 Plus Luncheon/Award Ceremony that honors a Latina 50 Plus in each of the career categories mentioned above. Maria is the Founder and President of Latina 50 Plus.
Awards:
2019 Fordham University Archbishop Hughes Metal for 20 years of service
2018 The New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc Special Recognition for Career Achievement Service to the Hispanic Community
2017 Honorary Madrina El Museo Del Barrio Three Kings 40th Parade The 9th Annual Taino Awards Guaitiao/Friendship Award for Community
Comite Noviembre Lo Mejor de Nuestra Communidad
2016 Bronx Times 25 Bronx Influential Women June
In 2010, Maria received the V-DAY Award for special recognition for her work with women in the arts from the Eve Ensler Foundation for “someone who has suffered or witnessed violence, and then does extraordinary work to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else in their community.
In 2010, Maria received the V-DAY Award for special recognition for her work with women in the arts from the Eve Ensler Foundation for “someone who has suffered or witnessed violence, and then does extraordinary work to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else in their community.
For more information please visit her website
www.mariaaponte.com
George Acevedo Business Advisor Board Member
Maribel Gonzalez Proprietor of the South of France Restaurant
Business/Official Caterer
Yvette Martinez Co-Founder of ¡Retumba! All women’s folkloric dance group.
Nonprofit Advisor Board Member
Nonprofit Advisor Board Member
Sponsors
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-4132999