SUSL Rally Heart Awards

The ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! (SUSL) Rally Heart Award recognizes a Latina who has made valuable contributions to the SUSL Rally in various capacities, including mentorship, volunteerism, sponsorship, and advocacy.  Nominations for the Heart Award can be submitted by any person. 

Nominate someone now for the Heart Award for the 2023 SUSL Rally!

You can use our online form or you can download the PDF Form, fill it out, and email it to SUSLRochester@gmail.com by midnight Friday, April 14, 2023.

Learn more about past Heart Award recipients listed below. 

2018 Heart Award recipient

Nominated by her niece, Ivette Torres has never missed a SUSL Rally since it began. She is committed to mentoring leaders and volunteers. She is a community advocate and member of Latinas Unidas. Torres is also Public Affairs Lead Analyst at Rochester Gas & Electric.

2017 Heart Award recipient

Marisol Lopez, Youth Services Commissioner for the City of Rochester. Marisol has been a long time supporter of the SUSL Rally, as a Madrina, M.C. of several events, and lending her resources for our event.

2016 Heart Award Recipients (Berlin and Hilda)

Berlin Bermudez, Division Administrator of General Pediatrics Division (Golisano Children’s Hospital Department of Pediatrics), volunteer for the Rally for many years, and responsible for securing grants for this event.

Hilda Rosario Escher, President and CEO of Ibero-American Action League, Inc., well-know in the community for serving as a voice and advocate for Latino youth and their families.

2015 Heart Award recipients (Nydia and Jane)

Nydia Padilla-Rodriguez is the founder of Borinquen Dance Theater. She was recognized for her long term commitment to the Latino youth in the Rochester community. Ms. Padilla also mentored the 2015 Rally Teen Committee.

A SUSL Rally Heart was also awarded to Ms. Jane Pantoja, owner of Jane’s Fashions, recognizing her long time support to the SUSL Rally. Ms. Pantoja organizes the Quinceañera & Prom Fashion show, a favorite segment of the SUSL rally, and for the last several years she has also donated a Quinceañera/prom dress to a girl attending of the event.