The Banco BHD recently celebrated the ninth edition of its “Women Who Change the World” award, recognizing ten exceptional women who have made significant contributions to their communities and the country.
The awards ceremony, held at the Gran Teatro del Cibao in Santiago de los Caballeros, was attended by high-ranking officials, including Vice President Raquel Peña, who is from Santiago.
Mai Mora, or Rafaela Encarnación Rosario, took first place for her decades-long advocacy for the rights of rural women. The community leader has tirelessly advocated for the rights of peasant women in her town of Bánica, located in the Elías Piña province. At 79 years old, she has dedicated 51 of those years to social work. She has played a significant role in improving the living conditions of the residents of Sabana Cruz and its surrounding areas, focusing on rural development that includes training, agriculture, infrastructure, associations, and environmental initiatives.
Among her achievements in education, she successfully coordinated with the Ministry of Education to implement intermediate courses (7th and 8th grades) in rural areas of Bánica.
She established associations for women from the communities of Guayabal, Hato Viejo, Higuerito, Los Yareyes, and Sábana Cruz. Additionally, she has participated in strengthening the Christian faith within the community and has contributed to various religious mission works.
Second place in the BHD Women Awards went to Grace Butler and Herminia Bueno (Cuca) for their outstanding work in healthcare and women’s empowerment, respectively. Educator Argentina Henríquez was recognized for her transformative impact on education and social change in the Dominican Republic.
The other winners of the ninth edition of the Banco BHD’s “Women Who Change the World” award are Ana Torres, Bernarda Peña Durán, Fanny Then, María Estela Díaz, Rosanna Estenelao and Thais Herrera.
Luis Molina Achécar, president of Centro Financiero BHD, and Steven Puig, president of Banco BHD, along with Josefina Navarro, senior vice president of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility, emphasized the commitment of these women to the common good and social change.
Following the awards ceremony, Banco BHD offers a mentorship and training program designed to strengthen the initiatives of the honorees through workshops in areas such as financial education and sustainability.
In his speech, Molina Achécar thanked the ten honorees for their example, courage, and their efforts to make the world a better place. He stated: “The women we honor today fight every day for a cause: the common good. They are visionaries, great human beings, with strong values and a courage that breaks down barriers. With their bravery and commitment, they remind us that real change is not achieved on the surface, but is born from the depths of our essence, where human nature finds its power.”
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31 October 2024