In a crowded room of over 150 attendees joining from as far as Atlantic City and Camden, LUPEPAC brought together an impressive gathering of local grassroots activists and state wide leaders like First Lady Tammy Murphy, Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Pallone and Payne, and Latina elected officials like Sen. Pres. Pro Temper Teresa Ruiz, to celebrate Latina Political Leadership in New Jersey.

The Latina Pioneer Awards honors Latinas who are leading the way in New Jersey Politics.  The honorees for 2018 included Rosa Farias, Legislative Director for the NJ Senate Majority Office; Wendy Martinez, respected political activist and Sen. Menendez current Political Director for Latino Vote; Evelyn Padin, upcoming President of the NJ Bar Association.  By honoring Latina leaders in New Jersey, LUPEPAC highlights the accomplishments of Latinas in the New Jersey political landscape and elevates their profile to inspire younger Latinas to step up to the plate and participate in local politics.  The annual awards gala raises fund to support Latinas running for office locally in towns across New Jersey.

State Senator Nellie Pou, Assemblywoman Pintor-Marin and Annette Quijano also joined the celebration to talk about the importance of the work LUPEPAC does to empower Latinas and increase the number of elected Latinas in office.

The event also honor allies that support LUPEPAC’s mission:  David Johnson, LIUNA Eastern Region Organizing Director; Ray Perez, Esq., partner at Connell Foley; Sen. Vin Gopal, 11th Legislative District; David Matos Jr., The Matos Group, and Michellene Davis, Esq.  RWBarnabasHealth.

“We couldn’t do the work we do, without the amazing support from our sponsors and Latinas all over NJ,” states Patricia Campos-Medina. “Our biggest challenge today, is to get Latinas to vote on Tuesday Nov 6th to re-elect Sen. Bob Menendez and restore common sense and respect back into our Democracy.  Latinas are ready for the challenge,” states Campos Medina.