The League is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization whose mission is the advancement of Puerto Rican/Hispanic women through higher education. The proceeds of all our events go toward the funding of our Scholarship Program, a most worthy cause of which we should all be extremely proud. The League’s Scholarships are $1,000 each, and are granted to Puerto Rican undergraduate women selected for their academic excellence and service to the community. The League receives no government funding and our Scholarships are supported by community donations.
Since 2009, the League has presented 114 Scholarships at our Scholarship Galas held at the Marina Del Rey in the Bronx, for a grand total of $114,000 in scholarships.
We encourage and welcome you and those you know to join and support the League as Members, Contributors, or Sponsors, and to attend our events. Your membership and financial support empowers Puerto Rican women to overcome the economic obstacles that would prevent them from earning their college degree. Discover the power to make a difference by supporting the League and making an investment in the future of Puerto Rican women.
The League is one of the few organizations in the nation whose focus is on the advancement of the Puerto Rican woman through higher education. We hope that we can count on you to support the League’s Scholarship Program, and we appreciate and thank you for your loyalty and generosity.
In 2019, we presented 12 scholarships to Puerto Rican/ Hispanic undergraduate women selected for their academic excellence and service to the community. Five of these Scholarships are financed by the League’s chief sponsor for the past twelve years: the New York Yankees, to whom we are supremely grateful.
We were also proud to have had the following role models as our 2019 Scholarship Gala honorees:
Woman of the Year: Carmen J. Villa-Lugo, Esq. Chairwoman, Acacia Network
Man of the Year: Miguel A. Fuentes, Jr., President/CEO, BronxCare Health System (not in picture)
Education Award: Dr. Anna Flores Locke, Director, Clinical Internship, Nyack College
Labor Leader Award: Lourdes Acevedo, Recording Secretary, CWU Local 1180
Public Service Award: Sgt. Jessica Hernandez, President, Latino Court Officers Society
Business Award: Maryjane Vargas-Rios, Owner, The MJ Treatment
Public Health Service Award: Dr. Diana Hernandez, Asst. Prof., Columbia University
2019 Scholarship Recipients:
Boricua College: Yamila Amari, Angelic Oliveras and Nicole Rivera-Batista
Hunter College: Emilyanne Rodriguez
Kingsborough Community College: Delilah Rivera
Lehman College: Eneida Alvarado, Syndellise Ortega-Rodriguez, Ashley Pena and Dianis Rivera
Nyack College: Giselle Flores
2018 Honorees
Woman of the Year: Honorable Judge Wilma Guzman, President, Puerto Rican Bar Association of New York
Man of the Year: Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, President of the University at Albany, State University of New York
Education Awards:
Carmen Diaz-Malvido, CEO, ASPIRA of New York and Luis Torres, Principal, Community School 55, in the Bronx
Business Award: Victoria Rodriguez, VJR Enterprises, LLC
Community Service Award: Angel M. Santini Palos, President, Comite Noviembre
Labor Leader Award: Elizabeth Perez, UFT, Brooklyn Borough Representative, NYSUT Board of Directors and
Nelson Rivera, Administrative Vice President, Transport Workers Union, Local 100
Special Recognition Awards:
Maria Aponte, Asst. Dir., Global Diversity & Inclusion, Fordham University Career Services
Miriam Quiles, Teacher, PS 160, Brooklyn
2018 Scholarship Recipients:
2018 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Neysha Beltran, University of Puerto Rico
Amy Canales, Long Island University
Theresa Del Toro, Lehman College
Llovizna Disla, Bronx Community College
Felicity Martinez, University of Alabama
Yesenia Morales, Adelphi University
Anabel Moreno, Lehman College
Juliann Negron, Marist College
Yajaira Perez, Boricua College
Natasha Santiago, Lehman College
Ariel Vargas, Lehman College
Brianne Yap, Western Oregon University
2017 HONOREES:
WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Evelyn DeJesus, UFT, Vice President for Education
MAN OF THE YEAR: Dr. José Luis Cruz, President, Lehman College
PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD: Debra Martinez, President, Grand Council of Hispanic Societies in Public Service
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Dr. Victor Alicea, President, Boricua College
BUSINESS WOMAN AWARD: Margie Santos, President/CEO, Synergy Network Worldwide
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Tino Hernandez, President / CEO, Samaritan Daytop Village
SPECIAL RECOGNITION HONOREES:
Bill Aguado, Executive Director, Bronx Council on the Arts (retired)
Beatriz Ahorrio, Director of Registration & Assessments, Boricua College
Pastor Jonathan Roque, Bishop, Council of Christian Churches international
2017 Scholarship Recipients:
Liana Amadeo, Nyack College (absent)
Yamilet Cortes-Gil, Bard College
Luz E. Lopez, College of Westchester
Jessica Martinez, Lehman College
Chasity Renta, Lehman College
Barbara Robles, Boricua College (absent)
Leilani Roman, Lehman College
Adelaida Rosario, Hostos Community College
Iris J. Rosario, NJ Institute of Technology
Kaitlin Rosario, Boricua College
2016 Gala Honorees:
WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Dr. Betty Rosa, Chancellor, NYS Education Dept., Board of Regents
MAN OF THE YEAR: Dr. David Gomez, President, Hostos Community College
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Maria Elena Girone, President, Latino Social Work Coalition & Scholarship Fund
EDUCATION AWARD: Erminia Claudio, Executive Director of Operations, Council of School Supervisors & Administrators
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Teresa A. Santiago, Chairperson, Comite Noviembre
WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS AWARD: Hedy Marin-Manzke, President, Hmmm… Graphics
HEALTH SERVICES AWARD: Dr. Luz Amarilis Lugo, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Mt. Sinai Comprehensive Health Program
2016 Gala Special Recognition Honorees:
Felipe Ayala, Jr., Director of Strategic Partnerships, Dept. of Education, Office of Post Secondary Readiness
Maria Dominquez, Visual Artist, former Head of Education Dept., El Museo Del Barrio
Dr. Raquel M. Ortiz, Associate Professor, Boricua College
2015 Gala Honorees:
Top Row with Awards: Dr. Gonzalez and Lt. Torres
Bottom Row with Awards: Ms. Graciani, Ms. O’Toole, Ms. Zalduondo-Henriquez, and Mr. Ramos
- Woman of the Year:
Milagros Baez O’Toole, Board Chair, Acacia Network, Inc.
- Man of the Year:
Dr. Robert Gonzalez, retired Assistant Commissioner of Education & Research, NYC Police Department
- Lifetime Achievement Award:
- Zoraida Graciani, Owner, Zoraida’s Coquitos
- Hector Ramos, New York/Puerto Rico Media Specialist
- Education Award:
Paulette Zalduondo-Henriquez, President, 100 Hispanic Women – Westchester Chapter
- Public Service Award:
Lt. Jorge Luis Torres, President, Hispanic Society, NYC Fire Department
2015 Gala Special Recognition Honorees:
- Master Sergeant John Escalante, United States Marine Corps
- Joy L. Flores, Firefighter, New York City Fire Department
- Juan Ortiz, Secretary/Treasurer, SSEU Local 371
- Elizabeth Quinones, United States Marine Corps
- Ana Soto, Educational Art Consultant, New York City Department of Education
2013 GALA HONOREES: 
Woman of the Year: Carmen Alvarez, Vice President for Special Education, UFT
Man of the Year: Santos Crespo, Jr., President, Local 372, N.Y.C. , B.O.E. Employees
Lifetime Achievement Awards:
Abraham Cruz, Vice Pres. Admissions, Boricua College
Chief Evelyn A. Mirabal, Chief of Department, N.Y.C. Department of Corrections
Health Services Award: Myrna I. Cardiel, M.D., Asst. Prof., NYU Langone Medical Center
Education Award: Robert E. Diaz, Esq., Vice Pres., Legal Affairs, Bor. Man. Comm. Coll.
Businesswoman Award: Maribel Gonzalez, Owner, South of France Restaurant
2013 SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Elba Cabrera, Dir., Hostos Comm. Coll. Foundation
Anthony R. DiMartino, Jr., Program Coordinator, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital
Angel Giboyeaux, Administrative Vice President, TWU, Local 100
Marybeth Melendez, Office of Disability Services, College of Staten Island
Carmen Z. Quinones, District 8 Representative, UFT, Bronx
Hector Ruiz, Jr., 2nd Vice Chair, UFT Para-Professional Chapter
Denise Olivera Schira, Dep. Network Leader, Dir. Of Student Services, N.Y.C. Dept. of Education, CSA Executive Board Member
Estela Isabel Soto, M.D., Spine Surgeon & Assistant Professor, University of Buenos Aires
Mayra E. Torres, Assistant Director, Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College
Neida Vargas, Bronx Branch Manager, Municipal Credit Union
2013 Gala: Ms. Rita DiMartino, CUNY Trustee, front and center at a CUNY table with CUNY staff and students.
2012 GALA HONOREES:
WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Elena Goldberg Velazquez, Esq., President, Puerto Rican Bar Association
MAN OF THE YEAR: Jose M. Wiley, M.D., Asst. Prof., Cardiology/ Radiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Woman of the Year in Hispanic Civil Rights: Ralina Cardona, New York State Director, LULAC
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:
Raquel Julich, Foreign Radio, Major League Baseball (top row, in the middle)
Dr. Antonio Perez, President, Borough of Manhattan Community College
Federico Perez, Educator
Yolanda Pumarejo, Executive Vice President, Social Service Employees Union Local 371
2012 SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Dr. Fernando Arzola, Jr., Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, Nyack College
Dolores Batista, Board of Directors, Hostos Community College Foundation
Carlos Blanco, Regional Manager, Affinity Health Plan
Evelyn DeJesus, Manhattan Borough Rep., United Federation of Teachers
Iris Jimenez-Hernandez, Exec. Dir., Lincoln Health Center
Mario Matos, Jr., Board of Directors, Municipal Credit Union
Arlene Ortiz-Allende, Sr. VP of St. Barnabas Hospital
Michael A. Padilla, Branch Manager, Hudson City Savings Bank
Anita Gomez-Palacio, Executive Director Operations, C. S. A.
Nancy Rosario-Rodriguez, Dir., L.I./Westchester BETLA Fordham University
2011 GALA HONOREES:
WOMAN OF THE YEAR: DR. ANITA VAZQUEZ BATISTI, Associate Dean & Director, Center for Educational Partnerships, Fordham Graduate School of Education, Manhattan NY
MAN OF THE YEAR: RAY NEGRON, Sports Executive, New York Yankees
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:
DR. CARMEN COBALLES-VEGA, Provost, Hostos Community College
DR. EDWIN MELENDEZ, Director, Centro de Estudios Puertorriquenos, Hunter College
ANITA VELEZ-MITCHELL, Poet, Writer, Performer
MEDIA CELEBRITY AWARD: CHEF DAISY MARTINEZ, TV Personality, Author
2011 SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENTS:
AWILDA CORDERO, Founder, Emergency Rights, Inc., Bronx, N.Y.
MARIA FALCON, Assistant Principal, P. S. 5, Bronx
BRUNILDA FREYTES, Assistant Principal, M.S. 328, Manhattan, N.Y.
ANA GARCIA REYES, Director, International Programs, Hostos Community College
NANCY GENOVA, Program Director, Prenatal, Care, Bronx Lebanon Hospital
ROBERTO HERNANDEZ, Principal, Grace Dodge Technical School, Bronx, N.Y.
BERNARD LOPEZ, Director, Field Service Teams, Council of School Supervisors & Administrators
ANA R. BARRIS LOZADA, Teacher, P.S./M.S. 218, District 9, Bronx, N.Y.
DARLENE MERCADO, Supervisor, Counseling & Advisement, EOC Center, SUNY @ Buffalo
YOLANDA PAUZE, President, United University Professions, SUNY @Farmingdale
ZACARIAS RIVERA, Jr., English Teacher, Legacy School for Integrated Studies, H.S. 429, NY,NY
ISRAEL SOTO, Principal, P.S. 57, Manhattan, N.Y.
2010 GALA HONOREES:
Woman of the Year in Government Service:
Carol Robles-Román, Esq., Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs, Office of the Mayor, City of New York
Woman Labor Leader of the Year:
Carmen Flores, Co-Chair, DC 37 Latino Heritage Committee, Vice Chair, Social Service Chapter, Local 1549, New York City
Man of the Year in Education:
José M. Vargas, UFT Bronx Borough Representative
Lifetime Achievement Awards in Education:
Dr. Tomás D. Morales, President, College of Staten Island, S.I., N.Y.
Iris De Jesus DeLutro, Vice President of the Professional Staff Congress
2010 SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Carmen Aquino, Office Manager/Press Officer, Office of N.Y.C. Councilmember Arroyo
Dr. Roberto Calderín, Adjunct Professor, Lehman College, Bronx, N.Y.
Marilyn Custodio, Assistant Principal, P.S. 60Q, Woodhaven, N.Y.
Betty Gonzalez-Soto, Principal, S. 211, Bronx, N.Y.
Miriam M. Gonzalez, Esq., Court Representative, Settlement Division, Office of the N.Y.C. Comptroller.
Mel Guadalupe, Director,Office of Minority Affairs, Suffolk County
Aurea A. Manguál, President, La Fiesta Folklórica Puertorriqueña, Inc.
Alfredo Thiebaud, President and owner of Delicioso Coco Helado Inc.
2009 GALA HONOREES:
Woman of the Year: Shirley Rodriguez Remeneski , President, 100 Hispanic Women, Inc.
Man of the Year: Dr. Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, President, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College
Lifetime Achievement Awards: Rita Di Martino, Trustee, City University of NY
Justice Luis A. Gonzalez, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, N.Y.S. Supreme Court, 1st Judicial Dept.
2009 SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Cassandra Carlo, UFT Educational Liaison & Political Action Coordinator
Magali Carmenaty, Assistant Principal, P.S. 27 Agnes Y. Humphrey School for Leadership, Brooklyn, NY
Eva Garcia, Director, N.Y.S. Bronx BETAC, Fordham University
Lillian Garcia, Resource Specialist at N.Y.S. Bronx BETAC, Fordham University
Anthony Jimenez, Guidance Counselor, Brentwood High School, Long Island, New York