La Prensa Foundation honors Women In Action

Hundreds of policy makers, philanthropists and charitable San Antonio residents sat around decorated tables in the Rosenberg Sky Room. Outside the ballroom glass, the Alamo City illuminated with the coming dusk. On Friday, Sep. 29, the scenic UIW location hosted the La Prensa Foundation's Salute to Outstanding Women in Action 2017 - an awards gala and fundraiser acknowledging nine female community leaders with prestigious leadership recognition.

Ticket admission and blind auction earnings raised money for scholarships awarded to students bogged down with financial hardships - including individuals that didn't achieve perfect grades, first-time graduates in their families and those derived from broken homes. So far, $2.8 million in scholarships has been raised; the cause was always important to the Duran family, especially the late Tino Duran - who passed away in June. A pioneer for bolstering the San Antonio community, Duran once said, "If I can make things easier for anyone out there, that's what I want to do."

After a rousing rendition of the national anthem sung by Michelle Burnett, district attorney Nico LaHood quoted Matthew 10:32 while introducing a video tribute to Duran.

"I think he lived by this, it was pretty obvious by his behavior," said LaHood. "'Christ said that if you acknowledge me before men, I will acknowledge you before the father. If you deny me before men, I will deny you before the father."

Images of Duran's life flashed across numerous screens in the hall, delivering an emotional montage that was addressed afterwards by both of his children.

"My Dad was my hero, my mentor," said Steve Duran. "He taught me everything I know. I'm successful because of him."

"We are equally surrounded by his life as we are by his death," said Nina Duran. "We are here to honor him and honor the legacy that he and my mother started together to recognize nine beautiful women tonight that have given so much to the city of San Antonio."

The master of ceremonies Honorable Judge Ron Rangel introduced the following honorees:

Dr. Henrietta Muñoz

Dr. Muñoz is an employee of United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County and serves as President of Grant Research and Evaluation, providing research and oversight of both federal and private grants for San Antonio's East Point Neighborhood. An Adjunct Professor at UTSA, she has 16 years experience with family economic success and education initiatives.

Maria del Carmen De Luna-Jones

Carmen has served the Alamo Colleges for 30 years, directing the Brackenridge and Harlandale Education & Training Centers as well as the point of contact for immigrant students for the schools. She is on the Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education Blue Ribbon Panel, the United We Dream DEEP Advisory Council and leads the district-wide DREAMers Advisory group.

Judge Rosie Alvarado

A Bexar County native, Alvarado is currently the Judge presiding over the 438th District Court. Her past efforts include: advisory board member to the San Antonio Crime Coalition, Chair of the St. John's Lutheran Academy School Board and pro bono representation to those in need.

Justice Patricia O'Connell Alvarez

A former Texas Monthly Super Lawyer from 2003 to 2012, Alvarez is a current Justice in the Fourth Court of Appeals. She served as a Board Director of the State Bar, Panel Chair for the Grievance Committee, Trustee of the Texas Bar Foundation and Trustee of the Texas Bar College. As a writer, she has published over one hundred papers, some of which are used as templates for practicing lawyers.

Lucy Adame-Clark

Adame-Clark is a public servant at the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. In the duration of her 20-year career, she has worked up to the Criminal Investigation Division and received numerous certifications and accreditations.

Dr. Lula Pelayo

Now retired, Dr. Pelayo started her career with the Alamo Colleges in 1981, spearheading improvements in nursing and associate degree programs. As the District Director of Nursing and Allied Health, Dr. Pelayo developed grant initiatives to streamline the entry into civilian workforce by using enlisted health care training and academic credit for higher education degrees.

Diana Arevalo

A State Representative for House District 116, Arevalo has served on the following legislative committees: Public Health, Defense and Veterans' Affairs, and Rules and Resolutions. In the community, she has been involved with more than a dozen councils.

Irene Lucia Chavez

Chavez served as a principal for Northside ISD for 24 years, founding Challenge High School in 1990. In April 2015, NISD voted unanimously to rename the school the Irene L. Chavez Excel Academy in honor of its longtime founder and leader.

Janeth Medina

A successful businesswoman, Medina is the owner of a real estate investment firm, cofounded an international call center business and financed a micro-lending company. She owns and operates a private school in the state of Coahuila for non-traditional students.

For more information on how to become involved with or donate to the La Prensa Foundation, please visit www. laprensafoundation.org/ or https://squareup.com/store/ la-prensa-foundation.