1998 Mujer Award Highlights

From the moment the guests walked into the sumptuous Willard Hotel, they were immersed in the richness of Hispanic culture. Greeted by the vivid colors in the paintings of Claudio Olivos and the serene melodies of Paraguayan harpist Pedro Gaona and guitarist Hector Muñoz, it was clear that this would be a special evening.

The Mujer Awards grants the NHLI the opportunity to honor the achievements of Latina women. Each year, hundreds of Latinas and Latinos from around the country assemble to recognize and pay tribute to the sustained lifetime achievements of a Hispanic woman who has served her community and who has acted with justice, love, and the deepest of pride in her culture.

This year's Annual Mujer Award Gala, held in Washington, DC, was an undeniable success. This was due to the participation, leadership and commitment to the advancement of Latinas by corporate patrons, Board members, alumnae and friends of the Institute. The Mujer Awards are of such great consequence to this organization because the honorees epitomize all of the qualities NHLI endeavors to encourage and cultivate. These are our Latina legends.

Dra. Antonia Coello Novello, the winner of the 1998 Mujer Award, embodies all the qualities of a transformational leader. Her unyielding excellence and professional merit led to her appointment as the 14th Surgeon General of the United States. The first woman and the first Hispanic to hold the position, Dra. Novella is a respected medical expert and a tireless advocate of issues affecting the Hispanic community. In 1996, Dr. Novello turned her attention to global health issues when she became the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Special Representative for Health and Nutrition.

Born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Dra. Novello received her B.S. (1965) and Masters (1970) degrees from the University of Puerto Rico. After completing her pediatric internship and residency at the University of Michigan, where she was selected Intern of the Year, Dra. Novello finished her subspeciality training in pediatric nephrology at Michigan and Georgetown University.

Currently, Dra. Novello is Visiting Professor of Health Policy and Management at John Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health and Special Director for Community Health Policy. In that capacity, Dr. Novello continues to address the medical concerns of children, women and the elderly on national and international levels.

Univision's Lourdes Meluza was the Mistress of Ceremonies. The musical flavor was provided by castanet artist, Carmen de Vicente with pianist Joseph Holt in accompaniment. The guests danced the evening away to the scintillating sounds of the JCJ Band. This year's gala was such a success that many of the over 300 guests and sponsors continue to applaud NHLI.