Washington, D.C., December 10, 2002 - MANA, A National Latina Organization's, 13 Annual Las Primeras ® Awards Gala took place on Friday, September 19, 2002 at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington D.C. The event, hosted by the Ford Motor Company, honored four Latinas who have accomplished "firsts" in their fields of expertise, including Business, Community Service, Public Service and Leadership.

Ana Maria Canseca, of Univision's "Despierta América", served as the gracious Mistress of Ceremony, thanks to Suave who was instrumental in sponsoring her participation in the event. Ana Maria Canseca has served as host of many other Latino events in the past, such as President George W. Bush's "Cinco de Mayo" celebration, "Hispanic Woman of the Year" event, and the "Telethons" of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

This year MANA honored Elizabeth Lisboa Farrow, President and CEO of LISBOA, with the MANA award for "Business". Ms. Farrow was recognized for her contributions to and success in the business and the Latino community. Frances Garcia, Inspector General for the GAO, received the award for "Public Service". As Inspector General, Ms. Garcia is responsible for all of GAO's internal audits, evaluations and investigations, and she currently serves as Campus Executive at five universities for GAO. The "Community Service" award was presented to the Honorable Rosario Marin, United States Treasurer. She is the first Mexican-born U.S. Treasurer and the highest-ranking Latina in President George W. Bush's administration. Norma S. Rodriguez, City Clerk of San Antonio, Texas, was awarded the MANA award for "Leadership". She is the first woman and the first Hispanic to hold the position of City Clerk in San Antonio. She was also the first Hispanic elected as President of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, which is the professional association of municipal clerks from throughout the U.S., Canada, and 14 other countries. The diversity of the Las Primeras ® award recipients demonstrates that Latinas are entering into and succeeding in many new career fields along with succeeding in the more traditional occupations.

MANA presented the Honorable Nydia Velázquez, U.S. Representative (D-NY) with the "HerMANA" award. Ms. Velázquez was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986, and in February of 1998, Congresswoman Velázquez was named Ranking Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, making her the first Hispanic woman to serve as Chair or Ranking Member of a full committee in the history of the House of Representatives. The Small Business Committee has oversight on a wide area of programs, and Ms. Velázquez has worked tirelessly to promote women owned businesses.

The Honorable Secretary Mel Martinez personally received the "HerMANO" award for his leadership as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Secretary Martinez was born in Cuba and fled to America in 1962 as part of a Catholic humanitarian effort Page 2/2 called Operation Pedro Pan. Before working at HUD, Secretary Martinez served in various local government offices in Orlando. Martinez is committed to expanding homeownership opportunities to more Americans, particularly minority and low-income families. In this vein, he has been exceptionally active in working with "Las Colonias", low-income Hispanic housing enclaves located along the U.S. and Mexican border.

Ford Motor Company was honored as the "Corporation of the Year" for outstanding nationwide support of programs that enrich the Hispanic community. Their vision in support of mentoring programs for young Latinas as well as for Hispanic employees in the corporation serve as a role model for all corporations interested in contributing to the Hispanic community. The award was accepted by Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza, Director of Public Policy, Health and Social Programs for Ford. Ms. Egusquiza also serves as a corporate board member for MANA.

The event was a great success due to the merits of the award recipients and the event sponsors. Ford Motor Company contributed as the event sponsor. Other sponsors include Suave, AARP, Coors Brewing Company, State Farm Insurance Companies, Latina Style Magazine, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and WISER. MANA is very grateful to these organizations for their financial support of its programs for Latinas.

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 100 girls to Washington DC to a summer institute that includes a briefing at the White House and a visit to the girls' Congressional representatives Information on MANA can be obtained at the web site: www.hermana.org or send an e-mail to hermana2@aol.com .