Mrs. Emelda Benitez, is one of our 2014 Grand Marshal of the Dominican Cultural & Music Parade and Festival of RI. On Sunday, August 10th, 2014, starting 10am from the corner of Thurber Avenue to Roger Williams Park. Mrs. Benitez and others will honored during festival with official citations and a special recognition from QIA for the countless hours of volunteer work and leadership on behalf of the Latino community. Emelda was born in the Dominican Republic, She is the Community Relations Manager for ARAMARK Education in Providence Schools, and previously she held the position of Neighborhood Services Officer and Assistant to the Director of Community Services in Mayor Cicilline’s Office. Ms. Benitez has been very involved in Rhode Island communities volunteering and becoming part of the steering committee of different community programs such as Latino Voices, Health Advocates, Back to School Celebration, Providence Shines, Latino Leadership Cancer, and Path to Health, Injury & Safety Prevention Coalition, and Environmental Justice League of RI, Olneyville Shines, Broad St. Initiative; and others. She has been a school mentor at VIPS, Roger Williams Middle and George West Elementary Schools. Emelda has been part of the following boards: Latin Cancer Society, Parenting Matters, Disaster and Relief efforts for the Dominican Republic, Los Trinitarios Club, Club Juan Pablo Duarte, Sporting Colombian Social Club, Latin Solidarity Committee, Roberto Clemente Little League Baseball, Saizen Goju Ryu Karate Do, Carl Ripken Washington Park Little League Baseball, Providence External Review Board, The Institute for the Study and Practice of Non Violence, the Dexter Foundation and Providence Human Relations Commission. Ms. Benitez is one of the founders, first and actual President of Hispanics United Development Organization ‘HUDO”. She spends some of her evenings trying to keep approximately 200 youth engaged and motivated by directing programs such as Dance, Modeling, Arts, Volleyball, and Baseball at Club Juan Pablo Duarte and at Providence Schools After Zones. Emelda is very influential In the Political Arena, from 2007-2011, she served as Vice-Chair of Providence Democratic City Committee and as acting chair from September 2011 through January 2012. From 2006-2012, Emelda was the chair of Ward 10 Democratic City Committee and was recently elected again in May 2014 From 2006 to date, Emelda got numerous citizen citations for her involvement with Arts & Culture, Dominican Folklore, Diversity/Inclusion and community services from government officials at various events. In 2012, she received the “Extraordinary Woman Award” in Community Services. Ms. Benitez received the 2008 , 2009 2010 and 2012 plaque and certificates for her involvement with George J. West School, Roberto Clemente Little League, Providence Softball Alliance, Washington Park Little League Baseball. In 2009, Emelda received the “Dominican Community Leadership” award at RI State House, and for her contributions to increase the Dominican cultural knowledge a plaque from Centro Cultural Deportivo Dominicano in New York. Emelda was selected as one of 100 most distinguished Dominicans in the USA by the Dominican American National Roundtable in Washington, DC. In 2011, 2012, 2013, Emelda received plaques from Saizen Goju Ryu Karate do, Angels of the Community and Club Juan Pablo Duarte for helping their organizations and contributing to the well being of Hispanics in the State of RI. In 2013, she was the recipient of the “Community Excellence Award” by the Black and Latino Caucus. Recently she was named International Godmother of Honor for the Bronx Parade and Festival in NY. As an Aramark Manager she received the 2008 Business Innovation Award as well as Outstanding volunteer certificates of excellence for volunteering and enriching lives of RI communities. In 2008, 2009 and 2014 she received certificates of Excellence and honorable mention from the Aramark Jefferson Awards for Public Service.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 13:21:50 +0000