Morristown Resident Honored With 'Trailblazer Award'

On Sunday, March 11, President and CEO of the Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce and Morristown resident, Esperanza Porras-Field, was among the honorees presented with the Evangelina Menendez Trailblazer Award, which was named in honor of Sen. Robert Menendez's late mother. More than 400 people were in attendance at New Jersey City University in Newark, for the third-annual Women of Distinction Awards to celebrate Women’s History Month.  

“I am proud to honor six extraordinary women who have distinguished themselves in their field. They represent many walks of life, but with one common goal: making New Jersey a better, safer, healthier, smarter, more-caring place to live and raise a family,” Menendez said. “I named these awards after my mother because she was a trailblazer in her own quiet way who made the momentous decision to flee Cuba and come to America so that her sons and daughter could have safety and stability. My mother, Evangelina Menendez, represented the kind of determination, wisdom and leadership these awards are meant to celebrate. I will continue to honor her, and all women, whose strength, courage, wisdom, and dedication to doing what is right for the people they serve, makes our state and our country a better place.”

"Being recognized with the Evangelina Menendez Trailblazer Award is the honor of a lifetime," Porras-Field said. "I am humbled to receive this accolade along with a distinguished group of women in the State of New Jersey. My passion as the pioneer of the Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce has been to serve the Hispanic business community. I am delighted that my contributions and efforts to create a more favorable climate for entrepreneurs has empowered our members to embrace success. It is my hope that future generations will continue to carry the torch as we leave a legacy of strength and perseverance to serve others." 

Also honored at the event were Jeanne M. DelColle, Terese Bernadette Acocella, Linda Walder Fiddle, Katherine Grant-Davis and Phyllis Salowe-Kaye.

Esperanza Porras-Field of Morristown blazed a new trail when she founded the Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce, of which she now services as President and CEO. This chapter advocates, promotes and advances the interests of small business owners and organizations that target and serve the Hispanic-American market. A businesswoman engaged in Real Estate, development, consulting and training, Ms. Porras-Field is always taking her career, and thus her community impact, to new heights.  Her reputation as a dynamic and creative leader of the Hispanic community of Morris County is exemplified by her leadership role in many of the organizations that assist the citizens of Morris County. Ms. Porras-Field is a positive role model outside the business world as well. She’s Executive Producer of "Mi Casa Es Su Casa", the bilingual, award winning cable program in Morris County.