New London ― Women of all ages convened Friday at the Hispanic Alliance of Southeastern Connecticut's gallery on State Street to celebrate the accomplishments of two among them.

La Latina Network held its fifth annual awards ceremony, where two women received awards for their involvement in the alliance’s programs and the community.

Gloria Rodriguez, a licensed social worker in Connecticut and Puerto Rico, was named Latina of the Year for 40 years of work in the community.

Shayleen Castillo, of New London, was the recipient of this year’s BRILLA scholarship.

La Latina network aims to support the empowerment of Latinas through various educational programs, mentoring and scholarships.

Maria Amparo Cruz-Saco, co-founder of the network, said two programs are critical to the network: “Tertulia,” a womens support group that meets twice a month, and BRILLA, a week-long summer leadership program for girls in high school.

Lina Agudelo, executive director of Hispanic Alliance, said it was difficult to choose the winners this year. She said there are Latina women working hard in every field and sector, including education and healthcare.

La Latina of the Year

Rodriguez has been a social worker at C. B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet School for 23 years. Her life’s work has been centered on studying biculturalism, the co-existence of two cultures, and improving access to mental health services within the Hispanic community.

In 1982, Rodriguez moved to New London from Puerto Rico to work in Lawrence + Memorial Hospital’s Minority Outreach Psychiatric Program, where she became coordinator.

She has participated in multiple workshops and served on boards seeking her expertise. For the past two years, Rodriguez has volunteered on the Institutional Review Board, reviewing research proposals, at Connecticut College.

Between 2018 and 2019, Rodriguez was in a study group with professors from Connecticut College, in conjunction with the Hispanic Alliance, to collect information that will help agencies understand issues affecting the retention of Hispanic mental health services.

Rodriguez participates in the Hispanic Alliance’s women’s support group, where she said she has met and learned from women from different cultures.

“It’s really important to recognize those in the community that work hard,” Rodriguez said. “If we don’t recognize it within ourselves, it will go unnoticed.”

BRILLA scholarship

Agudelo introduced Castillo as the recipient of this year’s BRILLA scholarship, a $2,500 award that will be matched by Eastern Connecticut State University if she’s accepted to the four-year college.

Castillo is a senior at Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School, where she is class president, a member of the National Honor Society and the president of the Students for Recovery Club.

Castillo said she was excited to be chosen for the award among twelve others who are just as qualified.

j.vazquez@theday.com