Contact: Catherine Easby-Smith
(202) 833-0060
manacatherine@aol.com

Washington, D.C., November 10, 2003 - Alma Morales Riojas, President and CEO of MANA, A National Latina Organization (MANA), is being recognized by the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER). On November 10, Ms. Riojas will receive WISER's Hero Award in New York City, in recognition for helping raise awareness of the financial issues for America's working women.

Other honorees are Teresa Heinz, one of the nation's leading philanthropists and founder of WISER; Ellen Levine, Editor-in-Chief of Good Housekeeping; Merble Reagon, Executive Director of New York City's Women's Center for Educational and Career Advancement; Pamela Thomas-Graham, President and CEO of CNBC; Elizabeth A. Vale, Executive Director of Morgan Stanley/Miller Anderson & Sherrerd; and Marna C. Whittington, President and CEO of Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management and CEO of Allianz Dresdner Asset Management.

"These successful women generously donated their time and talents to help other women get the information and financial skills they need to improve their economic circumstances," said Cindy Hounsell, Executive Director of WISER.

"Until Teresa Heinz created WISER, there was nowhere for women, particularly average women, the forgotten older woman and women of color, to get easy access to important retirement information in terms they could understand," said Hounsell. "Teresa Heinz and our other honorees have gotten that information to millions of women and helped those women gain some control over their financial futures."

Each honoree has helped WISER in its mission to provide practical tips to female consumers and get that information to the widest possible audience. Ms. Riojas has worked in partnership with WISER for the past three years to present this information to MANA members and Hispanic communities. MANA also worked in collaboration with WISER to have their materials translated into Spanish.

"I am extremely honored to receive this award and commend Cindy Hounsell and WISER for their commitment to providing valuable retirement information to all women, but especially to Latinas," stated Alma Morales Riojas. "WISER has shown true dedication to this issue by holding countless workshops and trainings at the local level for MANA Chapters. Our members have benefited from receiving this information, and have been able to share it with others."

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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.