The Powerful Latinas Awards aims to honor the most outstanding Hispanic women of the year, who by their example honor the values of the Latino community, becoming leaders and role models. And that happened Friday at a Hispanic Media event that honored ten successful Latinas during a difficult time marked by the pandemic.
Latinas in Philadelphia count with an unconditional ally in Hispanic Media and its product Latinas Lifestyle, which every year prepares this wonderful event that strengthens ties in the community and among entrepreneurs, and in addition is a window for personal and professional growth.
You can read:Latinas Lifestyle Fair empowers Latina women
In this edition, awards were bestowed in five categories, after a nomination and selection process carried out by the Latinas Lifestyle 2021 ambassadors.
Influencer and entrepreneur Lissy G., from Hispanic Media’s media advisory board, was in charge of moderating the awards ceremony.
Businesswoman
Mercy Mosquera

Managing Director of Tierra Colombiana Restaurant & Nightclub and Mixto Restaurant
She has been recognized and awarded for being an example as a leader and entrepreneur of Ecuadorian origin. She was part of the board of directors of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. She is an advocate of higher education and sponsors many school events, as she believes that education from elementary school is the basis for the future of all children.
Patricia Toro

Entrepreneur
This country has given her the opportunity to work in the health area, a stage she has already completed. Now she is living the wonderful experience of starting her own business, as she founded El Balconcito restaurant with her family. “There are no excuses for not achieving your goals; those who work hard will be rewarded in the end,” said this Latina who came to the United States 22 years ago.
Influencer
Lili Daliessio

Podcaster, President, Founder & Creative Director at Lili Daliessio Design.
Lili Daliessio’s outstanding trajectory on Facebook Live with her sections “Heroínas/Héroes Por Conocer” and “Contagiando Amor”, places her among the favorites of Latinas on this social media platform. She is also the founder of Lili Daliessio’s educational, media and marketing agency A&T Consulting Services. This proud Colombian-American is also a psychologist.
Harianned Chaurel

Hostess of @venezolanadasonline, Journalist, artistic manager, audiovisual and event producer.
Twenty years of experience as a journalist show that Harianned Chaurel was born to be a social communicator. She knew this since she was a child, when she was still living in her beloved Venezuela. She has cultivated a solid career in the cultural field, as a press coordinator, artistic manager, event and audiovisual producer. After coming to the U.S. she found the opportunity to participate in reinforcing the Venezuelan and Latino community in Philadelphia.
Caregivers
Melissa Pluguez

DNP, APRN, Co-Medical Director Unidos Contra Covid Phl
When the public’s health is your vocation, studies never cease and opportunities to help vulnerable communities appear everywhere. Such has been Dr. Melissa Pluguez’s experience during 21 years of practice in clinical settings. She is founder and co-director of Medicos Unidos- Contra Covid, a vaccine clinic for underserved Latinx populations in and around Philadelphia.
Marybell Rodríguez

MSN, CRNP, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, Nurse Practitioner
The conviction to support her community and be involved in multiple organizations is a work that she has maintained during her 15-year career as a dual board-certified nurse practitioner and a solid experience in areas such as vascular surgery, interventional cardiology, endovascular medicine and aesthetics. In addition, she holds a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner and a Master of Science in Acute Care.
Educator
Diana García

M.Ed., Educational Administration Certificate with 26 years of experience
She is currently Principal of Frances E. Willard Elementary School in the Kensington section. “I am a product of the School District of Philadelphia: Potter Thomas Elementary School, Conwell Middle Magnet, Stetson Junior High School and Mastbaum A.V.T.S. – class of 1989,” said proudly this exemplary teacher of Dominican-American parents.
Sandra González

Doctorate in Education from Holy Family University
She was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She comes from a humble Puerto Rican home. She holds a Master’s Degree from Gwynedd Mercy University in Educational Administration (2008). Last May, she earned a Doctorate in Education from Holy Family University. She was part of the planning team of the 2nd Antonia Pantoja Charter School, where she also served as assistant principal (2008 – 2010) and later as Principal.
Latinas on the Move
Zeli Colón-Pennock

Latino Outreach en Philadelphia Department of Public Health
She serves as the Outreach Coordinator for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, where she is responsible for keeping the Hispanic community informed on COVID-19 issues, as well as translating into Spanish for the Mayor of Philadelphia and the Commissioner of Health. She earned a B.A. in Communications from Pegano State University and a B.A. in Business Administration from Eastern University.
Amy Eusebio
Executive Director, Office of Immigrant Affairs, City of Philadelphia
Her experience includes supporting adults with HIV/AIDS and coordinating programs to support victims of crime, including domestic violence. She also holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. She has held various positions within the Philadelphia City government. In 2019, she was promoted by Mayor Jim Kenney to serve as Executive Director in the City’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
A ceremony for Latina women
The awards ceremony highlighted the value of Latina women from El Concilio in Philadelphia.
Mireya Lumbreras, representative for Goya Foods, and Elizabeth Ayala, Vice President, Hispanic Community Counseling Services, who represent two organizations with extensive experience supporting the U.S. Hispanic community, spoke at the event.
Ricardo Hurtado, Hispanic Media CEO, offered the closing remarks congratulating the winners of the Powerfull Latinas Awards and thanking the attendees of another successful edition of Latinas Lifestyle.
Powerful Latinas Awards and Latinas Lifestyle Fair were made possible through the sponsorship of Goya Foods, Telemundo, RDS Home Care, Allstate, Hispanic Community Counseling Services and Aurora Home Care.
Translated by: José Espinoza