Raymer Reyes helps recently arrived children transition to United States
By Angie Baldelomar When Cynthia Raymer thought of becoming a teacher, she never imagined she would serve such a specific population.An Overland Park native, Raymer is a teacher for newcomer students at Kansas City International Academy, a charter school in Kansas City, Missouri.“What that means is, I am serving students who have newly entered the […]
Negrete works to help Hispanics become civically engaged
By Angie Baldelomar Wanting to be at the table where decisions were made was the driving force in Aude Negrete’s career.Born and raised in Mexico City, Negrete was raised in a “bilingual and bicultural environment,” she recalled. She credited that with sparking her interest in public service and politics.“That really opened my eyes to just […]
Faith moves Cabral to help others find God
Dos Mundos Women’s History Month honoree Jessica Cabral has found her life’s purpose: to help others get close to God and find happiness through him.Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Cabral works as the director of religious education at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Kansas City, Kansas.“It is an honor to work helping the community,” she said. “I […]
Women’s History Month: Nino continues embracing life at age 90
By Chara Dos Mundos Women’s History Month honoree Alba Nino (Niño in Spanish) loves her life.A native of Colombia, Nino moved to the United States with her husband, Numael Nino, to whom she was married for 34 years until his death. The economic situation in Colombia forced them to find a better quality of life, […]
Women’s History Month: Piedra empowering immigrants through the law
By Tere Siqueira Each March, to honor Women’s History Month, Dos Mundos honors Latinas whose accomplishments have helped and/or inspired the community. One of this year’s eight honorees is Jessica Piedra, a Kansas City area immigrant rights advocate and lawyer.The mother of two has been involved in immigration rights since high school. After finishing college […]
Women’s History Month: Acosta helps community through her work at Truman
By Angie Baldelomar Jackie Acosta has been a nurse for 14 years, but she never considered nursing as a career until after graduating college with another degree.“Nursing is my second career,” Acosta said. “I graduated from college and I still kind of wasn’t fulfilled, and (it) kind of took me a little bit to figure […]
Donnelly College professor talks accomplishments as a Hispanic woman in STEM
By Angie Baldelomar As a Hispanic woman in engineering, Ana Maradiaga is aware of the responsibility that comes with being a minority in a science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) field.Maradiaga teaches chemistry at Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas. But that is not all she does there: She also is the director of liberal […]
KCK Chamber launches new women’s division
By Angie Baldelomar The Kansas City, Kansas, Chamber of Commerce has announced a new division geared specifically toward women. The KCK Women’s Chamber Network (WCN) is focused on offering education, networking and mentoring opportunities for women at all levels of business. After the 100-year-old KCK Women’s Chamber of Commerce was dissolved earlier this year, Cathy […]
Two Latinas part of the onscreen talent at area TV station
By Angie Baldelomar Two Latinas are part of the English-speaking broadcast media landscape in the Kansas City area. Leslie Aguilar, a reporter at KCTV-5, has worked since 2018 at the station. Originally from Texas, Aguilar moved to the Kansas City area, looking to experience new environments. Because she had grown up in a state heavily […]
Diana Martinez Empowering the Latin community
By Tere Siqueira Each March to honor Women’s History Month, Dos Mundos honors Latinas whose accomplishments have helped and/or inspired the community. One of this year’s eight honorees is Diana Martinez, director of Head Start at The Family Conservancy. Born in the United States and of Latin heritage, Martinez grew up negotiating the two worlds. […]