14 minute read
Women2Know Questions & Answers
W2W: Why is your position unique to women in our community?
EliAnna Bermudez: As a leader, I am willing to proactively educate others, but first I listen and let others teach me. I’ve learned that one’s weakness becomes their opportunity, however, everyone has a choice to perceive their cup as half full or half empty. I perceive obstacles as a stepping stone to achievement, but it allows me to grow in my weakness for it to become an opportunity of strength. It also forces me to take the first step even if I am the only one because I develop as a leader when I make a decision that risks my position, but benefits those around me. Edna Garcia-Dipini: According to Census 2020, the State of Pennsylvania is home to 1,049,615 Latinos, Reading being one of the cities with the largest Latino population. In the U.S., Latinos hold just 5.3% of executive positions. I am one of the few Latina Leaders to hold the title of an Executive Director in our community and in the U.S. Rosa Julia Parra: If I’m not mistaken, I’m the first and longest bilingual publication in the area. I think this helps women understand that anything is possible. Doing a bilingual publication every 30 days is not easy, you have to endure a lot of long nights and hard work.
W2W: Would you wish to acknowledge a mentor or friend who helped you aspire to this point in your life’s journey, and why?
EB: Christi Terefenko is one of the most inspirational mentors that humbles her leadership achievements. Her passion to serve the community by empowering our youth is beyond gratitude from Berks County, as she is the reason behind youth excelling and using their voices. No one will understand the determination that motivates the endless hours she puts forth to accomplish her vision for Berks County. I am honored to be one of those youth to have witnessed Christi’s incredible leadership attributes. EGD: My grandmother Ramonita taught me to love unconditionally and that has helped me navigate through my ups and downs. She was a humble woman of faith who inspired my work ethic. RJP: For me it wasn’t anyone locally but yet it was no other than OPRAH, she does everything and came from nothing, zero, a black woman that was raped and she rose beyond her wildest dreams. She is a prime example of a beautiful soul to me. She has a balance of spiritual, smart, business savvy and just plain old fashioned a good-hearted human being who loves to give back.
W2W: What words of wisdom would you offer to other women?
EB: Being a leader is not about receiving the greatest accolades, but rather earning the best award through educating yourself to be the best individual you can be for others. EGD: Trust your intuition. Learn how to be still and choose again. RJP: Stop dreaming so little, dream so big that even you are a little scared of that dream.
W2W: What is the most valuable way women can support each other?
EB: By being honest, it begins with oneself. If people can’t be honest with themselves, how will they be honest with others in the face of opposition. We have to be as strong as the woman next to us. So, this means helping others during their lowest time and highest peaks/moments. Let us not get carried away by the titles given, but by the respect earned. EGD: Showing up.
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mother was for me. So, become what inspired you for others. RJP: We are not always strong. Sometimes we are weak but that is ok despite what society leads you to believe. I felt strong because I was raised in public housing, with a single, illiterate mother, who had five kids, no car, no education and no family near her and she still left my dad due to mental and physical abuse. Her not staying made me stronger. Learning why I didn’t share the same last name as my brother even though we shared the same parents made me angry and temporarily weak. I always felt I needed to prove myself to people. You see my father denied me the family last name solely based on the fact that he had conceived only boys previously, so he couldn’t have fathered a female. However, me finally accepting that those were not my mistakes, made me strong again. Today I am free of those chains and ways of thinking. Free yourself of your parents’, your spouses’ or anyone else’s errors. As a matter of fact, free yourself of your own mistakes. Just learn from them and don’t repeat them.
WOMEN2KNOW RJP: Stop believing the hype that we should compete against each other. First, stop bullying other women behind closed doors and stop closing doors for other women. Once you accept that we all bring something different to the table, you will realize that there is room for all of us. It actually makes us stronger.
W2W: What three things do you recommend that contribute to your success?
EB: Accountability for one’s transformation. In my transformation, I had to be the first one to admit my faults before teaching others to do the same. Ultimately, lead by example. Confidence in one’s identity. How one perceives themself is how others will perceive them. If the individual is a strong and confident leader, people are more than likely to listen and follow the direction they are determined to go. I believe no one should never expect less of what they are capable of achieving. Perseverance to never give up. Don’t quit, step back or hold back what you know you can accomplish because of others’ false accusations. The best feeling about succeeding is the story behind the achievement, which is never taking failure, “no” and “I can’t” as answers. Don’t be the next one in line to accept defeat. EGD: I am eager to learn every day. I am accountable for my mistakes but I don’t allow them to keep me stuck. Take time for yourself, travel and learn about other cultures. RJP: Consistency, humble and hungry. Number one is consistency. I work from home, but I don’t take for granted how blessed I am to work from home, and I don’t abuse it. I make sure I work at least five days a week and not just lay around the house. Number two is staying humble. It’s very important to stay humble. Sometimes I even forget that I own a monthly, 60-page publication, and in two languages. While I love the magazine and it makes you locally known, that is only part of what I do. I also give back a lot to my community by volunteering; I have been to PR to help earthquake victims; I read to kids at urban schools; I help clean city streets; I help do fundraisers and I donate what I can throughout the year. Number three is you have to stay hungry, because if you don’t stay hungry someone else will eat your food. If you stay hungry, you will always be innovative and creative, and this helps you evolve and not just stay afloat.
W2W: How do you want to be perceived/remembered?
EB: The one that did what no one else would do. I want to be the prime example of the first youngest women to change the By Kirsten Haas Executive Director, Girls on the Run Berks mentality and heart of the community including women and and Rachael Romig men. I am a first generation American, who is being raised by a Senior Director of Events and Special Programs, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance <insert photos provided> dedicated and determined single mother. She devoted her time to work during the day and the first to attend college by night, solely for her children’s future. In addition, she did not let labels like being a woman or Hispanic define her right to education. She unintentionally taught me to keep working on achieving my dream of attending college, while allowing me to appreciate education. EGD: Edna was a woman of her word. RJP: A woman who did great things for her diverse community EliAnna Bermudez EliAnna Bermudez EliAnna Bermudez Photo courtesy of EliAnna Bermudez but didn’t want anything in return. I don’t expect anything from anyone but from myself. When you don’t expect anything but Photos courtesy of EliAnna Bermudez from yourself, you keep moving, otherwise you won’t eat or evolve or leave a legacy of your own.
W2W: What does it mean to you to be recognized as a De Mujer a Mujer Award winner?
EB: Someone recently asked me, “As a leader, why should people listen to you?” After reflecting upon my response, I realized it’s not about being the only one to achieve what others could not, but rather teaching others to do the same. A leader’s goal is to have people follow them in their direction of purpose. Therefore, I want to be recognized as the first to be the example of what others can now dream of being realistic to achieve. I am EliAnna Bermudez and my culture does not hinder me, but provides a unique opportunity to educate others of who I am. I want to be the CHANGE for my COMMUNITY. Therefore, I perceive my high-level of academic performance as an opportunity to create a voice for others to see that education empowers us in unity to overcome these labels that try to entrap my generation from a future and stand together for our rights as students, leaders and Americans. EGD: It brings me happiness to know that my community embraces my influence. I am grateful to have a community of respectful women who support and empower diversity and inclusion for women of color.
Senior Director of Events and Special Programs, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance
<insert photos provided> EliAnna Bermudez EliAnna Bermudez Photos courtesy of EliAnna Bermudez <insert photos provided> Edna Garcia-DipiniEdna Garcia-Dipini Photo courtesy of Edna Garcia Photos courtesy of Edna Garcia-DipiniEdna Garcia-Dipini <see photos of Rosa Julia Parra-courtesy of Rosa Julia Headshot of RJP
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RJP: For me it was an honor, again because I don’t expect anything from anyone but when you aren’t sitting around waiting for the applause, and you do get applauded or recognized it means so much more. It reinforces your “WHY” and it gives you that extra push to continue to do things for your community, expecting nothing in return.
W2W: Please share why you believe W2W is important for the community & why De Mujer a Mujer is important for the community.
EB: Greatness comes by small beginnings. Foundations are built with patience and determination. Providing a platform for women to share their achievements in a supportive atmosphere is not always successfully given. It’s empowering to work with one another to represent tomorrow’s future and I believe W2W has truly portrayed unity for womanhood in the community. I am overjoyed to be a part of something so change-making in today’s society. W2W is needed for women to grow stronger together and not weaker apart. EGD: It is important to create opportunities for women that can help to guide, coach and empower in order to strengthen our community.
Rosa Julia Parra Raising Funds for St. Judes Photo courtesy of Rosa Julia Parra
RJP: Anywhere that there are gatherings that push any human being to the next level is something important for the community. However, as a female knowing everything our female ancestors had to endure, how they were treated as either the cleaning lady, as the one that only gives birth but doesn’t or shouldn’t have an opinion, something like W2W is needed to empower the young girls and women but also at the same time paying tribute to the women who paved the way for us to be here today.
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Today we can vote, we don’t have to cook if we don’t want to, we can send our kids to daycare while we live our dream careers and still have a great stable family. We own our bodies and our minds, and I believe it’s because of women gatherings across the nation that continue empowering us. To have these groups in Spanish via De Mujer a Mujer and know that the community welcomes and accepts the diversity that we bring to the table, makes it more of a blessing. Us Latinos have a saying that says, “En la Union esta la fuerza” which means: In union stands power. We must remain united no matter what language we speak.
W2W: Anything else you’d like to share?
EB: Don’t be afraid to be the first. I have learned from my inspirational and phenomenal mother, the first individual in the family to attend college, to follow my ambitions in becoming the first aspiring nurse in my family regardless of any impediments. Everyone has a first teacher who becomes their inspiration as my mother was for me. So, become what inspired you for others. EGD: Thank you for this opportunity! RJP: We are not always strong. Sometimes we are weak but that is ok despite what society leads you to believe. I felt strong because I was raised in public housing, with a single, illiterate mother, who had five kids, no car, no education and no family near her and she still left my dad due to mental and physical abuse. Her not staying made me stronger. Learning why I didn’t share the same last name as my brother even though we shared the same parents made me angry and temporarily weak. I always felt I needed to prove myself to people. You see my father denied me the family last name solely based on the fact that he had conceived only boys previously, so he couldn’t have fathered a female. However, me finally accepting that those were not my mistakes, made me strong again. Today I am free of those chains and ways of thinking. Free yourself of your parents’, your spouses’ or anyone else’s errors. As a matter of fact, free yourself of your own mistakes. Just learn from them and don’t repeat them. 2
Rosa Julia Parra Photo courtesy of Rosa Julia Parra
By Kirsten Haas, Executive Director, Girls on the Run Berks, and Rachael Romig,Senior Director of Events and Special Programs, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance YOU’LL NEVER REGRET A Fantastic Smile
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