New Jersey nonprofit empowering Hispanic women for 29 years

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) -- For 29 years the local non-profit organization 100 Hispanic Women has been empowering Latinas to be innovative and to maximize their strengths for personal and professional growth.

Legacy building with a little bit of innovation is how Luisa Rodriguez Aponte, President of the 100 Hispanic Women New Jersey program, describes the work the organization has been doing since 1995.

“I see in this organization so many opportunities for us to build connections among generations and within communities,” said Aponte.

100 Hispanic Women was founded by Shirley Rodriguez Remeneski, in hopes of promoting inclusion in government and corporate America. So far, the national organization has 5 chapters in New York and one in New Jersey.

Their biggest focus is the scholarship program provided to all higher education levels

“As a first-generation immigrant, college and now law student, I didn’t have the financial support that most people in the United States would have. So, I had to seek scholarships and support outside of my home,” says Karla Samoano.

Samoano was born and raised in Cuba. She migrated to the United States when she was 15. 

She is a 2022-2023 scholarship recipient currently studying law at Seton Hall and spending a semester abroad in Belgium. Although she’s thankful for the financial support she’s received from the organization, she finds the real value to be within the members and their volunteering efforts.

Aside from the scholarship program, 100 Hispanic Women has many other resources available, including empowering local small businesses like Heal & Glow Spa in Cranford, New Jersey.

Erica Gomez the owner grew up in a household where hard work was the way to achieve success in life. After finishing college, she landed a manager position at a holistic spa. “It was the first time I saw people healing their body with natural things, as opposed to the medical side of it.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, she was let go. It was then she took a risk and against all odds decided to become a business owner. Three years later she connected with the 100 Hispanic Women New Jersey Program.

“We started to seek out small and growing businesses within the NJ community that we could bring into our events to hold panel discussions to help other business owners and for exposure," added Aponte.

Erica Gomez says “My way of giving back is to always help anybody with any questions or even helping running their business if they need an extra hand, events, and donating."

The organization provides women both entrepreneurs and scholars with information through webinars, and other events the opportunity to grow their network and achieve their goals

“I was able to connect with so many women that ended up coming to my business and then actually gaining new clientele,” says Gomez.

“The work that is being done its changing lives and it is helping students achieve their wildest dreams just like me,” said Samoano.