"An Inspiring Woman"

Hello there “Boarder followers”. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to write last week but this week I have a special treat for you. If you haven’t gotten a feel for my topics, or if this is your first time reading my blog post. You will see that I focus on “Influential Hispanics” in today’s society. If you’re like me in the sense that you are tired of being stereotyped and feel the need to always “represent” Latinos in a positive light. Well then this is the post you must read!

Today’s post is about Mrs. Gina Rodriguez. A very successful Dominican woman who immigrated to the United States in the 1980’s in search for the “American Dream”. Now for many of us the American Dream can mean many different things. But for this woman it meant to actually go to College and learn the native language. She studied in Berk Business School and took ESL classes at NYU. She was determined from the start to take advantage of all of the opportunities this country offered her. Upon graduating Gina began working within an import/export handbag company, Hyuk Trading Company. After working with them for 10 years she had two children and was able to juggle Motherhood and her career.

Just a few years after taking on that new role, her husband was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma Cancer. During Mr. Rodriguez’s fight with Cancer, Gina had to support the family forcing her to work multiple jobs in order to support the family. This is when she discovered her niche. The niche of sales within Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1991, in just a seven months Gina was driving the popular “Pink Cadillac” and has to this date a total of 6 company cars under her belt.

Gina has since received numerous awards and recognitions. In October 2007, “Dominican’s Women’s Development Center” recognized her with an “Outstanding Business Leadership Award” for her hard work and dedication in helping women to succeed within Business Industries. In August of 2008, she received the “Miss Go Give Award”, which recognizes “Independent Sales Directors” who exemplify characteristics of the “Gold Rule” and help guide and motivate Consultants who are not from their group. Today Gina’s team consists of 40 Hispanic Directors, who are currently earning annual incomes from 50K-85K and they are spread out through out New York, Massachusetts, Indiana, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida. In December of 2008, Gina achieved her dream and became a National Sales Director. The highest achievable position within Mary Kay, within this position Gina has the capabilities of operating her business in 39 different countries.

I recently had the pleasure of riding in the Pink Escalade and I have to say it is “Pretty Nice”. The Cadillac and the Awards are just added perks to Gina’s true motivation. Her driving force is her children and that to me is truly a great example of not only a “successful Latina” but a Latina Mother.

Thank you Gina for continuing to break those barriers for all women and for all Latinos.