Happy Mother’s Day!
This year we wanted to do something special to celebrate Mother’s Day, by featuring the mothers among the members of the Rochester Hispanic Business Association. We asked them if they would like to participate by sending us their stories, anecdotes and thoughts about how being a Mom, including photos (new or old) of them and their children.
Here are their stories…
Luisa Baars
“When I decided on my career I was just out of high school, so being a mother did not influence my choice. I always liked working with people who were sick. This I learned from my mother. We lived in the countryside, where there were no health care facilities, so my mother was the unofficial nurse. She took care of wounds, gave inyections, and cared for the farm workers and the children alike. I learned from her to deal with wounds, but never gave inyections.
My children are all over the country so I do not have a recent picture where we are all together. I am fortunate that one son lives here in Rochester with his three daughters, and one grandson from my daughter who lives in Puerto Rico is studying at RIT. Two of the girls are attending Nazareth College and the other will start there as well in September. Another grandson from PR will start at MIT in September. The 3 grandchildren in Colorado from my youngest son are still very young so I don’t know yet where they will end up studying as they grow.”
Luisa Baars is the owner of MAS Translation Services.
Mary Jo Bull
“A source of pride for me is that both my daughters are fully bilingual. Although they didn’t follow my steps and became translators, I instilled in them the importance of speaking more than one language.
This year I will celebrate Mother’s Day not only as a mom, but also as a grandmother of Tommy, my grandson of 14 months.”
Mary Jo Bull has been the owner of Spanish Communication Services for the last 26 years.
Vilma Burgos-Torres
“I worked and pursued my career while also being a wife and a mother. Because of divorce, for the major part of my childrens lives, I was a single Mom. My kids were and are the world to me so balancing both had to be well organized.
I have always kept a calendar which included all of my children and family important events, appointments and special family dates. Of course all my business appointments too. I have always believed that my personal success with my children was that they always came first. When we were together they got my 100% attention. Not thinking about the meeting I had that day or the one I would attend the next. I worked my business meetings and events around my children’s plays, sport events, recitals and scouting meetings.
When it was not possible, and there were times, I would secure a Mommy substitute, an uncle, aunt, Godparent or grandparent to be at their event. 100% attention to me was making sure they knew how important they were and that their interests were important.”
Vilma Burgos-Torres is Business Services Manager at Burgos Income Tax, Inc. and is Secretary of the Rochester Hispanic Business Association.
Hilda Escher
“My son and daughter were always my priority. I can now see the fruits of my decision by having a son and a daughter that are responsible and giving members of our community.”
Hilda Escher is the President of the Ibero-American Action League.
Rosemarie Gutierrez
“The kids understand the value of hard work but loving what you do – they are always a part of my business and volunteer ventures in some form – even if it’s placing stamps on envelopes.”
Rosemarie Gutierrez is a Licensed Real Estate Agent at J. Vincent Real Estate and the President/Aide de Camp of XRAA Events.
Michele Hefferon
“I will begin my Mother’s Day with ‘breakfast in bed’. Katie has been doing this for me since she was 3 years old!
What can I say about being a mom that is not in every mother’s heart? My daughter is my source of pride and she has first priority in my life. All I want is for her to grow-up healthy, knowing that she’s loved.
Michele Hefferon is the RHBA liaison with the Rochester Business Alliance.
Annette Jimenez
“I’m a mother. I’m a writer. And I am blessed to have a job where I get to do what I love with the flexibility to be there for my two children, Julia and Aidan.
Now, truth be told, being the mother of a teen and a tween has presented challenges I never expected. But being a mom and a writer — covering the Latino community for El Mensajero Católico — has opened up all kinds of doors for me. I served as a Girl Scout leader for several years – something I never would have predicted for myself! All kinds of new opportunities also presented themselves when Julia joined Borinquen Dance Theatre several years ago. Not only has her pride in her Puerto Rican heritage grown, but I have been helping promote this wonderful organization and see it develop and thus improve the lives of other children in the community! And that kind of giving back, I hope, shows my two children the importance of service. I’m proud to say both are altar servers and members of St. Martin’s Youth Gospel choir – bringing joy to seniors at area nursing homes.
Another plus of the job is I get to show my children the value of being bilingual and bicultural in our society. ‘Tengo mucho orgullo de ser Latina’ and tell the stories of our community and my children know that.
So, juggling assignments and deadlines with carpooling duties can make life a bit harried at times. I don’t make every meeting or every event. But when I’m able to be there for my son as he scores several goals in his first lacrosse game of the spring season, or when I get to sit in the stands and watch my girl swim in her first ever sectionals meet? In a word: priceless.
Happy Mother’s Day to all and thanks to Kelly!”
Annette Jimenez is Staff Writer at El Mensajero Catolico.
Daisy Rivera-Algarin
“I don’t know what I did right to deserve such children. My Albert (Tito) Daisy (Nena) and Patrick ( Boom Boom) have never given me a day to regret or question my motherhood. They give, care and hold themselves to standards that some adults can’t do.
My faith is a very strong part of who I am but my children are a very strong part of who I leave when I pass this earth.”
Daisy Rivera Algarin is Bilingual Marketing Specialist in the Economic Development Department of the City of Rochester, and she is the President of Latinas Unidas.
Grace Tillinghast
“If anyone asks what will I be doing on Mothers’ Day this year, the answer may not be very different from years past: I will be at The Battery with my husband and my son and the many ‘adopted’ children who come to the Advanced Hitters Club! In a way, I am blessed to be able to spend the day with people I love doing something we all love.
When my son was playing little league baseball, I was attending baseball games. When he was in high school, I was at weekend tournaments, and when he was in college, I was all over the country following him and his team. And yes, like the US post office, it did not matter how the weather was on Mothers’ Day, the game went on! Many memories of Mothers’ days past.
May all the moms have an enjoyable day.”
Grace Tillinghast is the Chair of the Rochester Hispanic Business Association and the co-owner of The Battery.
Our sincere appreciation to these Moms, for responding to our request on such as short notice. Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
