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It was a star studded Sunday afternoon as the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas celebrated at the Rising Star Champagne Soiree on January 22, 2011. This year we celebrate the accomplishments of five upstanding members.
Our Rising Stars, Brillos, and Shining Star demonstrated leadership qualities within our chapter. They have also made a significant impact within our community and HWNT chapter. Our Rising Star must be a member in good standing for two years and our Shining Star for 8 years. Most of all, she is a role model for all women. For the first time we formally honor the men in our organization with the Brillo award. Their work in our chapter and communities is crucial and should serve as a role model for all men and women.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of HWNT, the Fort Worth Chapter honored all past chairs with a special recognition award for their dedication and service to the Fort Worth Chapter.
All honorees received a special Proclamation from the State of Texas presented by State Senator Wendy Davis from District 10 for their outstanding contributions to our community.
We thank our title sponsor, The T, for their continuous support of our annual event, DJ Bob for his musical entertainment, and Chadra Mezza and Grill for their delicious food. We can’t forget our beautiful Latinas In Progress© volunteers.
Thank you to all that attended and made our event a success. We look forward to 2012 and being part of all your successes.
 Rosa Navejar, Shining Star
Nominated for her dedication and continuous support to our chapter throughout the years. Presented by HWNT Chair Judy Perez.
Rosa chaired our chapter from 1991 to 1994. She always remembers the lessons learned as Chair and says she will always credit HWNT for giving her the chance to lead a wonderful group of women.
Ms. Navejar started her banking career in 1976 at First of Fort Worth, (which is now Bank of America). She worked in the banking industry for 25 years and this experience gave her a vast knowledge of operations, retail, consumer and commercial lending to investments
In 2001, Ms. Navejar left banking to become the first Hispanic female to lead the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Since then the chamber has worked to develop programs with the purpose of educating ‘Start-up to Existing business’. The FWHCC holds four eight-week sessions and in the last 4 years has helped with over 4,500 individuals. The FWHCC uses it’s members to educate and promote awareness in business plans, access to capital, certification, permits and zoning, marketing, financials and contracts. These courses are given in both English and Spanish.
Also, in 2001, the FWHCC created a Hispanic Leadership Development Course and has now graduated 6 classes.Through this course we are now placing individuals on boards, commissions and non-profits through out the city and county.
Amanda Arizola, Rising Star
Nominated for her outstanding service to our chapter especially as our Parliamentarian and for her volunteer work at our ArtSí Fundraiser. Presented by HWNT Immediate Past Chair Christina Elbitar.
Amanda holds a dual B.A. in Government and Mexican-American Studies. She completed a dual MBA and Masters of Health Systems Management from Texas Woman’s University and currently works as a Project Specialist for Foundation Communities and United Way helping to managing 10 VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) locations through “Earn It! Keep It! Save It!”
Amanda is also fulfilling her passion for literacy as the National Project Manager for the Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club and Teleconference Series which is a joint initiative sponsored by Las Comadres Para Las Americas and the Association of American Publishers.
Amanda continues to be involved in the community as President-Elect of MANA de North Texas, Parliamentarian for the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas – Fort Worth Chapter and a tutor/mentor to J. W. Fannin Elementary School in Dallas.
Anette Soto, Rising Star
Nominated for her outstanding service to our chapter especially as our current Co-Education Chair. Presented by HWNT Vice Chair of Development Lucie Santiago-Allen.
Anette Soto is a high-energy young professional, dedicated public servant, and civic-minded citizen who aspires to make significant and impactful contributions to her community.
Anette currently serves as the Co-Education Chair for the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (HWNT) Fort Worth Chapter. In her role, she is charged with executing the organization’s most coveted program, “Latinas in Progress”- a college prep, mentorship, and scholarship program developed for graduating Latina high school students. Anette is the President of “Professionals Supporting the Arts”and a graduate of the Leading Edge program. Anette is an active and proud alumna of Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. and is currently serving as the Southwest Regional Expansion Director. In her very sparse spare time, Anette manages to commit herself to a broad range of unique activities, such as a volunteer member of the Super Bowl XLV Half-Time Show Stage Crew, a cast member in DFW’s first bilingual production of the Vagina Monologues, and organizer of a “DFW Cares” Texas Wildfire Relief Drive.
Anette obtained her Bachelors of Science in Public Policy Analysis from Indiana University and Masters of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, both fully funded through academic scholarships and fellowships. Currently, she works as a Senior Analyst for the Office of Inspector General of the US Department of Transportation.
Jaime G. González, DrPH, MSSW, MSHA, Brillo
Nominated for his continuous support to our chapter especially supporting our scholarship program and serving as a health advocate in our community. Presented by HWNT Past Chair and State Education Chair Eva Bonilla.
Dr. Jaime González is the National Director of Business Development for UnitedHealthcare Latino Health Solutions. Dr. González is a graduate of the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health in Ft. Worth, TX. Dr. González holds a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Science Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Gonzalez is also an alumnus of America’s Health Insurance Plans’ Minority Management Development Program.
Dr. González and his wife, Lucia, live in Ft. Worth, TX, and are actively involved in a variety of civic, community and faith-based organizations.
In May 2008, Dr. González was named the first-ever recipient of the UnitedHealth Group “Living the Mission Award” by the UnitedHealth Group senior leadership.
DJ Bob Bonilla, Brillo
Nominated for his countless volunteer hours and continuous support to our chapter especially donating his musical services. Presented by HWNT Secretary Jessica Bonilla.
DJ Bob is loving life doing what he likes to do. He has three college-graduate daughters and has been married to Eva and employed by FWISD for over 40 years currently on assignment to Adult Ed teaching G.E.D. DJ Bob was one of the first mobile DJs in Fort Worth. He is quickly approaching DJ’ing over 40 years. As a former Tenor Sax player and leader of a Band, he found DJ’ing to be more enterprising and easier to manage. As Eso Es Sounds, he started spinning disks, then playing CDs and now his extensive musical library is on laptop computers. He also has spectacular lights to set the mood. DJ Bob provides musical entertainment and is often a Master of Ceremonies (MC) who motivates all guests to enjoy and celebrate any occasion. He is very charitable, gives to the community and volunteers whenever he can.
Thank you DJ Bob for being an active HWNT member.
Lucie Santiago-Allen, State Estrella
Nominated for her continuous and dedicated service to our chapter especially as our Vice Chair of Development. Lucie has never shied away from a challenge. She welcomes them. Her tenacious spirit led her to accept the vacant position of Vice Chair of Development for our chapter. Within a few short months, she was able to raise funds for our Latina Art Show and build new partnerships for our chapter. Her dedication to our chapter goes above and beyond the norm. She shines brightly within our community, reaches for the stars, and always brings HWNT with her.
Born in New York City, Lucie came from a large Puerto Rican family. The family moved back to Puerto Rico in 1961 where she finished high school and studied at the University of Puerto Rico. Lucie worked in newspaper advertising since 1968. In ’81 she moved to Texas looking forward to expand her horizons. Lucie was lucky and landed in DFW and worked at the Dallas Times Herald. This was a great break for her – it changed her life. In ’83, she met Robert Allen of Laredo, Texas, and fell in love. They were married 2 years later.
Lucie states, “Texas has been good to me, the people who were my friends in ’81 are still my friends today, Bob and I have celebrated our 26th anniversary, and now I am involved with a fabulous group of women whose works in educating young women heading for college (LIP program), sharing experiences with other Hispanic women (Mindshare) and giving out thousands of dollars in scholarships, have really inspired me.” Lucie is extremely proud of being a member of the Fort Worth Chapter of HWNT. Lucie says, “The women in this group make a difference in their communities, their work places and in the lives of others. I am honored to be a part of the great group, today Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas- tomorrow Hispanic Women’s Network of America.”
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