MISSION STATEMENT
Mana de Metro Detroit is the local chapter of the national MANA organization. Our mission is to empower Latinas and create a better quality of life for all Latinos through education, leadership development and advocacy.
Mana is short for Hermana, Spanish for “Sister.” MANA National was founded in 1974 in Washington DC.
OUR HISTORY
As we look back at the year of our 40th Anniversary, we can see a MANA that is transforming to meet the challenges of new generations, while maintaining diligent resolve to our goals of Leadership, Service and Advocacy for Latinas nationwide. In our 40th year, we reflected the lessons of our founders in the adult financial literacy education, youth mentoring, capacity building, and countless local programming initiatives provided to meet the needs of our communities in today’s ever-changing environment.
Our communications are increasingly online, but our Chapters and Affiliates have the community touch points that make a significant difference in connecting with Latinas from all walks of life and all backgrounds.
HERMANITAS
Hermanitas Program – provides opportunities for growth through the mentorship of our young Latinas by Latina leaders from all arenas: education, government, political, business, and community. The program encourages young Latinas to stay in school and achieve high academic performance, and helps to develop the talents and skills of young Latinas in elementary, middle and high school though educational and leadership programs.
PROGRAM DETAILS
BRINDIS LUNCHEON
“Las Soldaderas Yesterday Today and Tomorrow” by Mary Luevanos
MANA de Metro Detroit invites you each year to our Brindis (from brindar: to drink ceremoniously in honor of someone) Luncheon to salute outstanding women, recipients of our Adelita Award (named in honor of the dedicated women who fought in the Mexican Revolution), who go beyond daily responsibilities to promote and support the Latino community.
The actions of the women being honored today for their volunteerism, self-sacrifice and activism — demonstrate their commitment to positive change. It is their character and perseverance that gives hope and regenerates the soul.
These are women of courage who are a great example of what it means to be a member of a community. We come together to raise our voices in salute to these women whose powerful spirits soar. These are women with a purpose, a dream and determination.
SCHOLARSHIPS
MANA de Metro Detroit established its Scholarship Program in 1996 and has been providing scholarships for Latina women annually. As of 2021, MANA has awarded one hundred twenty-four scholarships. Scholarship awards can cover costs not covered by other grants or scholarships, such as, books and other school related supplies, parking, gas, and other transportation related costs.
Eligibility requirements for scholarship include the following: must be Hispanic/Latina, resident of Detroit or Metro Detroit, and be accepted or currently enrolled in a higher education institution, vocational/career training, or leadership program. Additional requirements are listed on the application form.
Although MANA started with only one scholarship category, the program has expanded to four (4) scholarship categories:
MANA de Metro Detroit – General Scholarship
This is MANA’s first scholarship and it was designed to assist students of any major with financial assistance to supplement their school budget. In subsequent years, MANA expanded the scholarship program to include specific scholastic majors.
Carmen Muñoz Entrepreneurship Scholarship
The Carmen Muñoz Entrepreneurship Scholarship was created to honor Carmen’s life and encourage Latina Women to continue her legacy of entrepreneurism and community engagement.
Monica L. Martinez Leadership Scholarship
Monica L. Martinez served as a compassionate advocate and voice for the underserved families, neighborhoods, entrepreneurs, business owners and communities throughout her career. She was also instrumental in providing funding for the MANA scholarships and for the Hermanitas program. This scholarship was established to honor her legacy.
Ellen Ochoa became the first Latina to go to space when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the shuttle Discovery in 1993. She has flown in space four times, logging nearly 1,000 hours. Her 30-year career at NASA culminated in serving as the 11th Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, from 2013 until her retirement in May 2018. Due to Dr. Ochoa’s pioneering spirit in the sciences, MANA is proud to name the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholarship in her honor.
2022 Scholarship Awardees
SOME THOUGHTS FROM OUR AWARDEES:
I just want to say again how thankful I am to the scholarship committee for giving me this scholarship. It has brought my family and I relief for getting this amazing help.
Nancy Jimenez Solis
I just would like to say thank you so much to all the wonderful ladies at MANA! I received my check already and thought I’d say thank you. I appreciate it so much and I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to receive this scholarship. Dios las bendiga a todas! (:
Nubia Hernandez
Adelitas 2022 Amigos 2022
Top Left: Helena Maria Rezende Lazo, Top Right: Linzie Venegas, Bottom Left: Dr. Sandra M. Gonzales, Bottom Right: Diana Ortega
Left: Dr. Juan José Martinez, Right: German Rosas Farias
ADELITAS 1996 – 2006
- 1996 Adelitas Community Involvement – Irma Clark, Gloria Rocha, Gloria Rosas, Christie Urgo de Lozano
- 1997 Adelitas Education – Penny Bailer, Norma Barquet, Gloria Butler Miller, Ines de Jesus
- 1998 Adelitas Health – America Bracho, Guadalupe Lara, Myrna Mendez, Toni Villarruel, Erminia Ramirez
- 1999 Adelitas Political Empowerment – Jane Garcia, Honorable Belda Garza, Eva Garza Dewaelsche, Hon. Patricia Perez Fresard
- 2000 Adelitas Arts and Culture – Dr. Lucie Cruz Gajec, Cristina Huizar, Marta E. Lagos, Nora Chapa Mendoza, Jacqueline Rae Sanchez
- 2001 Adelitas Business Owner – Ninfa Cancel, Maria C. Luna, Patricia Rojas Ferguson, Jacklyn Salazar, Serafina Hernandez
- 2002 Adelitas Media – Olivia Galan, Carmen Garcia, Laura, Luevanos, Raquel Vazquez, Sara Toro, Dolores Sanchez
- 2003 Adelitas Labor – Rebecca Cabreros, Alana Reyes-Ali, Maria Enriquez, Gloria Gonzalez, Goldie Martinez, Elena Herrada, Maria Winters, Sandra Esparza, Luisa M. Perez
- 2004 Adelitas Leadership – Maria Flores, Sally Rendon, Angela Reyes, Blanca Almanza
- 2006 Adelitas Community Service – Mary Barela, Mary Luevanos, Adela Rivera, Maria Salinas, Mary Turner
ADELITAS 2007 – Present
- 2007 Adelitas Advocates – Ruth Dumas, Alicia Juarez, Juanita Hernandez
- 2008 Adelitas Recipients – Jeanette Avila, Carmen Muñoz, Edith Colon, Giovanna Rodriquez
- 2012 Adelitas Recipients – Sister Consuelo Alcala, CSJ Dorothy Alcala, Laura Echartea, Sheila Jackson, Monica Martinez, Judge Maria Oxholm, Kathleen Wendler
- 2013 Adelitas Recipients – Cindy Estrada, Beatriz Esquivel Ramos, Debra Ehrmann
- 2014 Adelitas Recipients – Sylvia Gucken, Renee Liagkos, Celia Christina Rosas ,Rosa Cruz-Avila
- 2015 Adelitas Recipients – Rocio Campos, Alma L. Guajardo-Crossley, Marycruz Gutierrez Saldivar
- 2016 Adelitas Recipients – Laura Reyes Kopack, Laura Robollar, Whitney Walton
- 2019 Adelitas Recipients – JoAnn Chavez, Maria Enriquez, Melissa Villarreal
- 2022 Adelitas Recipients – Dr. Sandra M. Gonzales, Helena Rezende Lazo, Diana Ortega, Linzie Venegas
- 2022 Posthumous (Mano) Award – German Rosas Farias
- 2022 Amigo of the Year – Dr. Juan José Martinez
SPONSOR PARTNERS
STANDING COMMITTEES…
EXECUTIVE
President- Stephanie Lopez Gilmore
Immediate Past President- Belda Garza
Vice President- Cindy Gamboa
Secretary- Melissa Rios
Treasurer- Tanya M. Caruana
All Committee Chairs
EVENT PLANNING
Cindy Gamboa, Chair
Sandra Valle-Sloane
Celena Zavala
Ana Rivera
Alicia Juarez
Maria Flores
Erminia Ramirez
Belda Garza
MENTOR / NETWORKING
Alma G. Crossley, Chair
Sandra Valle-Sloane
Olivia Mendoza
Cinthya Casillas
Eva Torres
Angelica Ramirez
Eva G.Dewaelsche
Mary Carmen Munoz
Antoinette Fox
Monica Lile
Nubia Hernandez
Paula Miller
ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY
Ninfa Cancel, Co-Chair
Belda Garza, Co-Chair
Angie Reyes
Cinthya Casillas
Sandra Valle-Sloane
Erminia Ramirez
Melissa Rios
Myrna Mendez
Maria Flores
Maria Salinas
Debra Ehrmann
Jonelle Lopez
Jasmeen Khilji
Mary Carmen Munos
Alicia Ramon
Ines de Jesus
SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH
Myrna Mendez, Chair
Daniela Garibay
San Juanita Barajas
Jonelle Lopez
Melanie Calvillo
TBD
TBD
SCHOLARSHIP / EDUCATION
Ines de Jesus, Chair
Laura Echartea
Laura Torres
Sandra Gonzales
Ana Calandrino
Helena Lazo
Sandra Valle-Sloane
Lilian Roa
Cinthya Casillas
Mary Carmen Munoz
Rocio Contreras
CONTACT US
Have any questions? We’d love to hear from you!
ADDRESS
4138 W Vernor Hwy
Detroit, MI 48209
PHONE
(313) 649 – 5104
