Washington, D.C., June 27, 2003 - The National Board of Directors of MANA, A National Latina Organization (MANA) voted to approve the applications of two new local chapters, MANA de Orlando, Florida and MANA de Chicago, Illinois. These chapters will receive their charters and join the network of MANA Chapters across the country, which share the mission to "empower Latinas through community service, leadership development, and advocacy".

MANA de Orlando is the first MANA Chapter in the state of Florida. Denise Harrison, President of MANA de Orlando, in an interview for the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper said, "This is the first of what we hope will be many more chapters here in Florida". This group of Latinas has already been very active in promoting MANA within the community.

MANA de Chicago, likewise, is the first MANA Chapter in the state of Illinois, and joins MANA de Kansas City as the two MANA Chapters in the Midwest. The Chapter President, Diana Derige, and the Chapter's Board of Directors plan to implement MANA Programs in Chicago as quickly as possible in order to serve the needs of the local community.

The MANA National Board of Directors is very pleased to announce the chartering of these new chapters and to provide them with the opportunities that all MANA Chapters enjoy. Alma Morales Riojas, President and CEO of MANA stated, "I am very impressed with the caliber of women who have joined and who will lead these new chapters. Their dedication to the mission and vision of MANA is apparent in their applications, and I look forward to watching the chapters develop to serve the needs of their communities through MANA's AvanZamos® and HERMANITAS® Programs. We are quite pleased to broaden the reach of our organization to new regions and diverse Hispanic populations, and we look forward to the continued growth of new chapters."

For more information on MANA membership, please contact the MANA National Office at (202) 833-0060 or by email at hermana2@aol.com

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MANA, A National Latina Organization, is a nonprofit, advocacy organization headquartered in the nation's capital, Washington, D. C. With chapters across the country, it is the oldest National Latina membership organization in the United States. MANA, whose mission is to empower Latinas through leadership development, community service, and advocacy, envisions a national community of informed Latina activists working to improve the quality of life for all Hispanics.

MANA also has the only national young Latina's mentoring program for girls 11 to 17, "HERMANITAS®" which brings over 200 girls to Washington DC to a summer institute that includes a briefing at the White House and a visit to the girls' Congressional representatives.