President's Message

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued dedication to our chapter in the past and into the future. Because of all the hard work and determination you have provided, we have nurtured and maintained a magnificent southern California NACOPRW chapter for our members, family, and friends to enjoy.

I trust that this finds everyone starting this year with an optimistic confident attitude towards the future. 2010 will be a year of community involvement, collaborating and networking with peers and friends, enjoying our Puerto Rican culture, personal growth through workshops and social events. One of our main goals is connecting Boricuas with other Hispanic women to form new friendships, engage in community service and experience a zest for life. We strive to connect our members and friends with community resources and opportunities they may need for personal and educational growth to expand and enjoy the warm "Boricua" island culture in Southern California.

The NACOPRW-SoCal Chapter will get you in touch with people whose warmth is equaled only by the sunshine that graces our Puerto Rican island shores.

Thank you for your continued support,

Darma E. Castro-Paden
NACOPRW-SoCal President 2010

President's Guanín

The guanín is a symbol of leadership used in the Taíno culture by the chief or cacique. NACOPRW-SoCal uses the guanín as a symbol of our heritage and leadership. It passes on from president to president in the tradition of the Taínos.

Taíno society was matrilineal. Name and status were inherited from one's mother and social standing was reckoned such that women might outrank men, even if men usually held political power. The caciques and their families were at the top of the social hierarchy. The mothers, sisters and grandmothers held especially high status. NACOPRW-SoCal's guanín is a design and creation of the chapter's co-founder, D.E. Castro Paden.

NACOPRW-SoCal Executive Board 2009



D. E. Castro-Paden, President
A. Lugo, 1^st Vice President
B. Solé Almodóvar, 2^nd Vice President
A. Mener, Secretary
L. M. Machado, Treasurer

NACOPRW-SoCal Purpose and Goals

The NACOPRW-SoCal chapter strives to:

1. Educate Puerto Rican and other Hispanic women of their rights; identify and develop leadership skills as a way to enhance their status as members of our society.



2. Assist its membership in taking responsibility for the development and maintenance of their Puerto Rican heritage by providing networking opportunities, enrichment activities and a supportive atmosphere.



3. Organize educational, social, and cultural events to: disseminate, promote and increase community awareness of the Puerto Rican culture (including but not limited to its manifestations in the arts, literature, economy, government, traditions, education, sports, history, geography, language); establish and maintain ties with other Puerto Ricans to maintain our ethnic identity; preserve and promote the use of the Spanish language as an essential part of our cultural heritage.



4. Provide unity, and cohesiveness within the Puerto Rican communities; develop awareness of our contribution to the welfare of the community.



5. Collaborate with other organizations, foster close ties among NACOPRW chapters, and establish a network for the accomplishment of our purpose and goals.