Felicita Monteblanco, THPRD Board Director, Honored by the American Association of University Women of Oregon

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Oregon will be honoring THPRD Director and Board Secretary, Felicita Monteblanco, with their annual Breaking Barriers Achievement Award, this coming Saturday at their annual conference in Salem.

Felicita is being honored for her advocacy work on behalf of Latina women and girls in Oregon. She created a community event program called Latinx Social Hour focusing on social justice issues including transgender justice and building relationships with diverse neighborhoods and communities.

As the first Latina elected to the THPRD Board of Directors, she has worked to eliminate barriers for volunteers, advocated for affordable housing support, and actively recruited mothers to THPRD committees. She has also been a strong advocate for the District’s efforts to revamp its Financial Assistance Program and expanding community engagement to underserved populations.

Monteblanco is the Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation Policy and Advocacy Officer. She recently started the clinic’s first internal civic leadership program RISE: Reach. Inspire. Support. Engage. The program is designed exclusively for Virginia Garcia staff to support them in their journey to become community activists and decision makers. In the first year there are fourteen participants, and after completing the program these staff will have new community connections, know how to be on boards, commissions, etc. and create change in their community.

Recently she was selected to take part in the Oregon Health Authority’s DELTA program for equity leaders. As a woman of color, she facilitates access to education for others and strives to bring often over-looked voices to decision-making rooms.

The Breaking Barriers Award is an annual honor bestowed by AAUW of Oregon to an Oregon woman, not currently an AAUW member, who has exemplified AAUW’s mission in a demonstrative way and positively impacted women and girls in the areas of equity and/or education.

AAUW is a national organization that was founded in 1881. It is a non-profit organization that advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.

Monteblanco will be honored at a reception on Saturday, April 13, at the AAUW of Oregon’s annual conference being held in Salem. For more information about AAUW of Oregon, please visit www.aauw-or.aauw.net/.

About THPRD
Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning 50 square miles and serving about 250,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, 95 park sites with active recreational amenities, nearly 70 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and about 1,500 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.