In honor of Women’s History Month, we honor Deborah Quintana owner and her daughter Maritza Job, President of World Wide Money Exchange. The mother and daughter team recently celebrated 35 years of service. Founded in 1991, World Wide Money Exchange is Latina-owned and located at DEN, a major U.S. airport. Quintana and Job have served the increasing DEN passengers with money exchange services for over three decades. Their success is attributed to hard work and good customer service.
Another asset to the community is Adrienne Benavidez, long-time attorney and House Representative once representing District 32 is now an appointed Colorado State Senator representing District. 21 decided by a vacancy committee. Sen. Adrienne Benavidez, an Adams County Democrat was sworn in to the Colorado Senate, a few days after winning a vacancy election in District 21. Benavidez received 52.6 percent of the vote on the first ballot in the February 26 election. Benavidez has a solid reputation for positively representing her community.
This month we also honor Olivia Mendoza named Executive Director of the ACLU of Colorado effective February 9th. Mendoza’s impressive work experience includes executive positions at the National Redistricting Foundation (NRF), the Latino Leadership Institute (LLI), CLLARO, the Minority Business Office of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and more. Mendoza has valuable nonprofit experience and is a current board member at the Metropolitan University of Denver (MSU/Denver). Experience in business and diversity define Mendoza’s work.
Also honored is Stella Deslongchamp a businesswoman and mom keeping her late daughter Alyssa’s memory alive through establishing and bringing suicide prevention programs to the forefront, thereby creating awareness. Deslongchamp has tirelessly worked through programs or potential legislation that can help other teens in the area of mental health or suicide prevention. Deslongchamp was recently featured on 9News in support of her work. Deslongchamp’s love for her daughter and others is a testament to her love of family and community.
Pauline Rivera, Publisher of LaVozColorado is also recognized as a woman representing media. Rivera has owned LaVozColorado since 2008. The bilingual publication founded in 1974 is distributed across Colorado and available online at Lavozcolorado.com. The award-winning publication and Denver Press Hall of Fame inductee publisher have provided news and information in bilingual format for over 52 years. The publication’s last 50 years’ editions are archived at the Colorado Historic Newspaper site. Rivera was recently interviewed at 9News/Caminos for her long-standing bilingual publication and its commitment to the community.
We bring attention to and celebrate these hardworking women in their respective fields, who have enriched our communities and our lives.
