The Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan has named one of the Michigan State University staffers as one of the Top 50 Latinas for 2018 in the state.
The commission, which was established in 1975 to represent interests of Michigan’s Hispanic and Latino population, recognized the top 50 leaders on Friday evening during the Statewide Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.
Maria Serrato, a program assistant for the Master’s in Educational Technology program was recognized by the commission for founding Capital Area Latina Youth (CALY), an organization that is mentoring Latina youth in middle and high school.
“I created this organization because I knew I needed to provide a support system for my daughters,” Serrato said.
“If I had had an organization like CALY when I was younger, it would have helped me arrive to where I am today much sooner.”
Created in 2017, the organization fosters empowerment, leadership, cultural advancement and education among Latina youth. The organization has also organized meetings with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta.
“Recognizing our community leaders, the top 50 Latinas in Michigan, and scholarship recipients is something the HLCOM is honored to do each year,” Commission’s Executive Director Felipe Lopez Sustaita said.
“We are proud to lead this Statewide Hispanic Heritage Month event honoring those who are committed to bettering the lives of our Hispanic Latino community, and the future of Michigan.”
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