When Nicole Hernandez was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes in 2007, her world turned upside down. But she was determined to triumph over the disease. The now-26-year-old Cubana took action by educating herself and becoming more health conscious.

“I understood why learning what I put in my body and how it would affect me was very important,” Hernandez says. “Learning how to have a healthy balance between my diet and type-1 diabetes was hard to accomplish. But I think I am at a very good place now.”

In 2009 Hernandez began participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) walk at Miami Metro with family friends. After her second year she wanted to do more for the cause, so she created the Art of a Cure Fundraiser. The annual event is an autumn evening of food, drinks, a silent auction and networking. To date, Art of a Cure has raised over $32,500 for the JDRF.

In addition to raising money, Hernandez has used the fundraiser to increase awareness of the disease. As the chair of the Young Leadership Committee of the JDRF of South Florida, she believes it’s her mission to spread the word in her community and help other Latinos with the disease stay healthy.

“If anyone asks me a question, I am very open about talking about type-1 diabetes,” she says. “And, when I hear of someone’s diagnosis, I try to reach out to them and offer my support.”

Hernandez hopes that eventually Art of a Cure Fundraiser will assist the JDRF in finding a cure for the disease. “My goal is for this small event to grow into an evening where thousands attend and millions of dollars are raised.”

For stylist and fashion blogger Yanira Garza, looking fabulous is a way of life. But as a busy mom, she knows how quickly one can fall into the “wear-whatever’s-clean” rut.

Describing her style as “classic, chic, and comfortable,” Garza says, "I'm not very 'trendy'. I live in jeans because they’re just easy, but before I walk out the door I jazz it up. I grab a blazer, a bright lipstick and throw on a pair of thigh high flat boots and instantly I'm the 'cool' mom. The holidays are no different. I just add more jewelry."

With the holiday season and all of its parties upon us, Yanira shares her top tips for staying bien vestida and adding “to-go” flair:

1. Minimize

With everything going on, the last thing you need is to feel overwhelmed by a closet full of clothes. Pull 20 to 30 of your favorite pieces out of your closet -- from dresses to pants to sweaters and tops -- and wear only those pieces for the next 30 days. Not only will dressing be simpler, you’ll also get creative by mixing pieces you never thought you would wear together.

 

2. Comfort doesn't mean conform

Five-inch heels may be a thing of the past for busy moms, but flats should never be boring. Choose a leopard print pair, which match surprisingly well with everything. Consider flat ankle booties too -- they work with skirts and they’re easy to dress up.

3. Get festive

Sparkle is always a hit during the holidays. Spice up your accessories by adding a big cocktail ring, a statement necklace or rhinestone drop earrings, which will work with your dressier wardrobe pieces. But try pairing them with denim too -- you’ll be instantly transformed from frumpy mom to glam mom.

In 2004, Leticia "Letty" Vélez (pictured center) started her transportation company, Chicago Mini Bus Travel, with just 10 buses. Within the first year she had doubled the fleet, bringing in over 2 million dollars in sales. Today it is the largest mini bus company in the Chicago area.

What’s the secret behind her impressive success? Letty’s amazing drive, intense focus and her vision to create a strong management team with a strategic plan for growth would be a solid foundation for any business. However, she credits her dedication to giving back to la comunidad by mentoring and connecting with other Latinas for taking Chicago Mini Bus to the next level.

She told PBS’ To The Contrary: “I think mentoring is key. If I meet someone and I see some type of relationship building there and I see that they have so much knowledge, I need that mentoring. I’m not shy anymore and I ask for assistance because I need that.”

This rare ability to recognize gaps in her own knowledge -- and the even rarer ability to reach out and ask for help -- gives her unique insight into the importance of giving back. She goes on to say: “…as Hispanic women, we’re the backbone of the Hispanic community.... We’re creating the future.”

This veteran businesswoman is a true example of a mujer con la falda bien puesta. Her incredible dedication to philanthropy and involvement in the community paves the way for countless future Latina businesswomen. The rewards for Letty Vélez are innumerable. The bonds she’s forged with her employees, fellow entrepreneurs and her community are priceless.

Before comedian Debi Gutierrez landed hot spots on Showtime, HBO, NBC and CBS, and before she hosted the popular parenting show called “A Place of Our Own” on KCET in California, Debi was a public school educator for sixteen years.  

"I really depended on my sense of humor when teaching high school," the Mexican-American mother of three remembers. "On tests, I'd include jokes like, 'Who's your favorite teacher? And list my name for options A, B, C and D!"  

Her stand-up may have started in a classroom, but today she's a star comic garnering large followings at L.A.'s top comedy clubs. Gutierrez recently shared some insights with us on how humor can be used to diffuse tense moments and improve marriages:

You Could Cut the Tension with a Laugh: "Having a sense of humor and warmly accepting the playfulness of others gets us through anything! If I can get you to laugh, I can get you to listen. If I can get you to listen, I can get you to learn."

What Women (and Men) Want: "My act has been called 'blame-free couples counseling'!  I am not going to make a bad marriage better, but I believe I can make a good marriage better for an evening. I explain to women that we are nothing like men and show them how to recognize a man's love language. During my act I actually see couples getting physically closer. It's no marriage seminar, mind you. It is rowdy, bawdy and even naughty!"

Get a copy of the comedy queen’s hit show, “He's Not Your Girlfriend,” at MommyComic.com. 

The name “Janet Murguía” may not be known in Latino homes across the country -- but it should be. From Sofia Vergara to Selena Gomez to Zoë Saldana, more Latinos than ever walk the red carpet each year. And we can thank Janet Murguía for that.

As the President and CEO of National Council of La Raza, the largest U.S. civil rights and advocacy organization, and the producer for the annual Alma Awards, Murguía has empowered la comunidad through voting and increased visibility in the media. We recently asked this trailblazer to spell out how showcasing Latino talent in music and entertainment is changing the lives of Latinos across the country.

“[Our country] is incredibly diverse,” Murguía says. “But you wouldn’t know that based on the amount of Latino representation in the media.”

Hispanics, she points out, are just as much a part of the American fabric as any other group. “We think it’s important that Latino faces are fairly represented on television, in the movies and in music, as well as behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.”

That’s why Murguía founded the annual ALMA Awards, which celebrates Latinos in the entertainment industry. There were just a few Hispanics on television when the awards were created. But today there are more than 40. Having an awards show during primetime hours on a major network provides huge exposure for la comunidad.

Murguía hopes that increasing the visibility of Latinos in the media will inspire others to pursue their dreams. “Seeing somebody that looks like you on television or on a stage at a concert sends the message that, ‘If they can do it, why can’t I do it too?’” she says. “Having these forbearers is in a sense both comforting and inspiring.”

All this just goes to show there’s no reason a viewer with the talent and drive shouldn’t follow their dreams, says Murguía. “Who knows, maybe they’ll be on stage accepting an ALMA one day?”

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (pictured right)