Maria Aponte

MARIA APONTE is a Poet/Performance Artist/ Community Arts Activist/Educator. Maria was interviewed on BronxNet TV, Bronx News 12, NBC Latino and on TEIMPO WABC-TV. She is a recipient of a 2013 International Latino Book Award for Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella listed on RockThoseReads selected books about Harlem by Total Equity Now. Maria’s second book, The Gift of Loss, won 2nd Place for Best Autobiography at the 2017International Latino Book Awards in L.A. The Gift of Loss is her memoir dealing with the loss of her parents as a young teenager/adult and the healing process from that loss. Maria has her Masters Degree in Latin American/Latino Studies from the Graduate School of Arts & Science Fordham University. Maria is the Assistant Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion in Career Services at Fordham University.  On March 2019 Maria was a recipient of the Fordham University Archbishop Hugo Metal for her twenty years of service at Fordham.

Maria is founder and President of Latina 50 Plus™ a nonprofit program honoring Latina Pioneers. In 2016, Maria was selected by the Bronx Times to be one of 25 Bronx Influential Women. On January 6, 2017, Maria was honored as one of the Madrinas for El Mueso del Barrio’s 40th Annual Three Kings Day Parade for her work in Latino Arts for women, and diversity programming at Fordham University. Maria is a recipient as one of “Lo Mejor de Nuestra Commindad” awards from Comite Noviembre. These awards honor Puerto Ricans whose pride in their heritage and strength of character have empowered themselves and inspired others to make a significant impact on our community

 For more information, please visit Maria’s website at www.mariaaponte.com