The ceremonies honoring the achievements of Ms. Valdes will be held during the regular Council session starting at 10 a.m. at the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville.

 

Councilmember Nancy Navarro, who since her election in 2009 has made a priority of encouraging the active participation of  residents who speak languages other than English in local government, said that those in the County’s Latino community—and in other County communities where different languages are spoken—should realize how much Ms. Valdes’ efforts have helped change Montgomery County.

 

 “Montgomery County’s population has become much more diverse over the past several decades, and Betty Valdes was one of the first leaders to highlight the contributions and needs of the growing Latino community in our County,” said Councilmember Navarro. “Betty has been a mentor and inspiration to young Latinos, particularly women. We all salute her and will honor her legacy by continuing to break down barriers and push for the full inclusion of all members of our community.”

 

Ms. Valdes has volunteered as a coordinator at the Spanish Catholic Center in Langley Park, helping immigrants achieve the dream of U.S. citizenship. She also has been the producer and host of the award-winning show “Que Pasa,” a bilingual Spanish/English radio and cable TV program airing since 1989 on major Spanish radio stations and MCT. She has served as president of the D.C. chapter of Reforma, the national organization promoting library and information services for Spanish-speakers and Latinos, and as a community mediator helping resolve highly sensitive issues.

 

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