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On a happier note, in
this issue we get to
meet Carmen Osbahr
puppeteer extraordinaire.
The Mexican-born artist
has been at the
forefront of children’s
television since 1989
when Jim Henson
“imported” her to Sesame
Street. Now as a
seasoned professional,
her characters grace
many of the most popular
children’s shows on
educational television.
We also meet Texas State
Senator Leticia Van de
Putte, the first Texan
and Hispanic woman to
serve as president of
the National Conference
for State Legislators.
It’s a long way from her
original career as a
pharmacist.
This past February we
celebrated our ninth
LATINA Style 50
Awards and fourth
Diversity Leaders
Conference. Once again,
we were graced by the
presence of some of the
most accomplished
Latinas in corporate
America. They were
joined by Latina leaders
from the White House,
the Administration and
our national
organizations. The
Honorable Elaine L.
Chao, Secretary of the
U.S. Department of Labor
delivered the keynote
address during the
awards luncheon. Among
the notables that took
part were Congressional
Hispanic Caucus Chairman
Joe Baca, Congresswomen
Grace Napolitano and
Loretta Sanchez, U.S.
Treasurer Anna Escobedo
Cabral, White House
director of Hispanic
Affairs, Jennifer
Sevilla Korn and U.S.
Small Business
Administration’s deputy
administrator, Jovita
Carranza. So much Latina
power in one place! We
already are in
preparations for our 10
Year Anniversary
Celebration coming
February 7, 2008. We
look forward to seeing
you all there!
If your wallet has not
been tapped yet for the
upcoming 2008 elections
you better get ready.
The candidates are
frantically cris-crossing
the country meeting and
seeking supporters. With
a woman, Senator Hillary
Rodham Clinton; a
Latino, Governor Bill
Richardson and an
African-American,
Senator Barack Obama in
the race, I think we
will witness the largest
minority voter
representation in the
history of our country.
I hope it is a trend
that we can sustain
through all elections.
Finally as we go to
press, Hispanic national
organizations are
preparing to take action
against PBS’ airing of
Ken Burns’ documentary
on World War II, in
which Hispanic
contributions to the war
are completely ignored.
Think about your
contribution dollars the
next time PBS runs a
telethon requesting
donations.
Robert E. Bard |
