Maria Mangual

Throughout her career, Maria Mangual has worked to increase funding and resources for Latino communities with special emphasis on the needs of Latinas.  She has not only committed her resources to organizations that support Latinas, but she has also implemented new methods to involve women of color in programming and fundraising. 

María’s role as founding member and former director of Mujeres Latinas en Acción was particularly significant.   In the early 1970’s she developed and implemented a statewide Latina Women’s Conference, which eventually led to the formation of Mujeres.  Along with a group of women who were dedicated to serving Latinas in their families, she battled a lack of resources, political empowerment, sexism, cultural barriers and physical threats to open Mujeres in 1973.  She had been actively involved in the organization since its inception, and Mujeres remains the only agency administered by Latinas that advocates for Latinas and their families.  Her work at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Chicago Foundation for Women and Mujeres Latinas en Acción, and active participation on the boards of directors of various non-profit agencies has left a lasting mark on the lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands of Latinos. 

INDIVIDUAL DONOR AWARD RECIPIENTS

L to R: Tito Rodriguez, recipient, and Marilyn Pagan-Banks, LCDA Committee and LID Member

Evaristo "Tito" Rodriguez

Evaristo “Tito” Rodríguez has touched the lives of hundreds of youth by sharing his artistic talents and personal resources, teaching them self-expression through dance and music, and at the same time grounding them to their cultural roots.  Formerly, Mr. Rodriguez was the Director of Aspira of Illinois’ Center of Culture, History and the Arts, and served as director and choreographer for various folkloric youth dance groups. He currently teaches at Antonia Pantoja High School, where he is also active in organizing special events for students and their families.  His latest venture is developing a new not-for-profit organization, AfriCaribe, to promote and develop the culture and heritage of Puerto Rico, Africa and the Caribbean through education, music, dance, theater, and other artistic media.

L to R: Rosa Zavaletta, recipient, and Evette Cardona, LCDA Committee and CLIP member

Rosa Zavaleta

Rosa Zavaleta possesses a tradition of philanthropy that includes an impressive combination of personal contributions, an extensive career working and acting as board member for non-profit agencies that serve Latinos – including her current employment at St. Anthony’s Hospital – and community activism.  Through her work Rosa knows first hand that individual giving is critical to the survival and success of many organizations. In encouraging friends, family and colleagues to donate, she stresses that any amount can help to make a difference.  Her philosophy of giving is to “follow her heart”, and Rosa contributes to organizations that she feels passionate about that demonstrate success in empowering the community.