Hispanic Heritage Month 2017
On October 10 the Council Office Building in Rockville, Councilmember Nancy Navarro hosted a panel discussion with Hispanic and Latino leaders in Montgomery County whose work has helped to shape our community. Panelists shared their life experiences and achievements and discussed issues of importance for Hispanic and Latino residents in the County.
"Shaping the Bright Future of Montgomery County"
Panelists:
Dr. Claudia Campos
Founder & Voice: Health, Sex, & Domestic Violence
Claudia Campos was born in Cali, Colombia.
She studied Clinical Physiology at the Catholic University, Bogotá, Colombia and received a Master’s of Sexual Education as well as a PHD and Master’s of Human Sexuality and Couple’s Therapy from the University of Tenerife, Spain.
Dr. Campos has worked in the area of sexual and reproductive health for over 20 years with various private and public sector agencies and organizations nationally and internationally.
As a professional and advocate in her native Colombia, she helped pass and implement historic legislation which mandated sexual education be provided at all levels in educational institutions in the country.
Since her arrival in the U.S. more than 19 years ago, she has worked tirelessly as a prominent Latina community leader, health professional, and advocate, to defend and promote women’s rights in the Latino community; particularly on issues relating to domestic and partner violence and sexual and reproductive health. She is well known and admired for her charisma, dedication and commitment to improving the lives of disenfranchised Latino communities in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area.
More information about Dr. Campos and examples of her work can be found on her website: www.claudialcampos.com
Oscar Alvarenga
Community Activist
Summit Hall PTA President Oscar Alvarenga was recently named the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) President of the Year and was recognized for his achievement at the June 15 Mayor and City Council Meeting. He was selected for his exemplary contributions and for promoting the welfare of children and youth. Oscar's accomplishments also include engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children and developing united efforts between educators and the general public to ensure the highest educational advantages for every child.
Oscar was chosen as a Fox 5 Hometown Hero and has been asked to be the Grand Marshal for the Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade.
He is passionate about building a community school, advocating for all kids, and helping parents by providing access and information to help them navigate the school system.
Nhora Barrera
President & CEO
The Media Network (dba) TMNcorp
With a passion for the health and well-being of the most vulnerable, Ms. Barrera founded TMNcorp in 1999 to promote health and wellness in communities with little or no access to information on services and programs.
Ms. Barrera is regarded as an industry leader in developing and implementing successful marketing campaigns. During her 25 years in the field, she has directed numbers successful campaigns for federal, state and local governments, private, and not-for-profit sector clients. Her international background and experience give her a truly insightful perspective into the unique problems surrounding health, education and social disparities in the U.S. and abroad. It is solving these problems that drive her passion at TMN.
Ms. Barrera has been widely recognized for her work as the founder and chief executive of TMN. She has been named to the list of Top 100 Hispanic Entrepreneurs by both Hispanic Magazine and Hispanic Business, and has been featured in the Washington Business Journal. She was also named to the 2008 list of Top 100 Women of Maryland by The Daily Record. Additionally, she has received awards for excellence from the National Association of Government Communicators and the Health Improvement Institute.
Rafael Sánchez-Cruz
As an Emmy award winning journalist, Rafael Sánchez-Cruz currently works for Noticias Univision Washington covering immigration, politics, and among other issues for the the Latino community in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. His commitment to Spanish language media derives from the struggles that his parents went through being Mexican immigrants in the United States.