We were honored to have everyone attend our 3rd Annual Lady in Red Scholarship Gala. We are grateful for your attendance and support as it demonstrated the power of our shared vision and the importance of our work.
Our organization is dedicated to empowering women through education and community involvement. Since our founding in 2016, we have awarded scholarships to over 100 Latinas in Progress (LIP) students. At the Gala, we celebrated yet another milestone in our journey, acknowledging the 51 LIP students who applied for scholarships this year. Thanks to everyone's generous support, we were able to provide scholarships that made the dreams of young women a reality.
We are proud to share that our scholarship program provided a significant amount of financial aid to deserving LIP students this year. We couldn't have achieved this without the support of our volunteers, sponsors, and partners who made our mission possible and inspired us to do more every day.
During the event, we celebrated not only the accomplishments of our 2023 LIP graduates but also the many milestones we have achieved together as a community. Our belief is that every woman deserves the opportunity to pursue her dreams and become a force for positive change in the world.
The Gala was also enriched by a beautiful performance from Reagan Esquierda, a talented ballerina who choreographed her own routine to the song "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack. Her graceful and skillful performance was a reminder of the importance of perseverance and dedication in pursuing our dreams. The audience was captivated by her artistry, and her contribution made the evening even more special.
During the gala, Araely Ruiz, one of our accomplished Latinas in Progress (LIP) students, shared her testimony about the positive impact our program has had on her life and future. Araely, who is graduating from Jimmy Carter Early College High School, spoke passionately about how the program provided enriching learning experiences. Her words served as a powerful reminder of the importance of empowering young women through education and community involvement.
"I know I don't only speak for myself when I say this program had an enormous impact on me and my future. We attended five sessions that ultimately provided us with enriching learning experiences, access to opportunities, financial resources, and exposure to the university lifestyle. But most importantly the sessions taught us that as Latinas, anything is possible if we have 'ganas.'"-Quote from Araely Ruiz
We were also delighted to have our State Chair Elect, Erica Marie Lopez, in attendance. She gave a moving speech about the importance of supporting each other and the power of education. Her presence demonstrated her unwavering commitment to our organization's mission of empowering women through education and community involvement. We are grateful for her leadership and support, which have been instrumental in our success.
"Tonight, I am so proud and excited to announce that each HWNT chapter will receive a $1,000 scholarship on behalf of our 2022 Padrino, Dr. Jaime Gonzalez. This Scholarship will be awarded to a student entering into the medical field." -Quote from our State Chair Elect Erica M. Lopez
As the evening drew to a close, we marked the occasion with a celebration. Balloons were released into the air, symbolizing the hopes and dreams of the young women we support. The sight of the balloons soaring high was a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we come together to support one another.
Thank you for being a part of this special evening and for making a difference in the lives of women in our community and beyond.