Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

El Paso ­- On Thursday, February 19, 2009 at noon at First Presbyterian Church, Senator Shapleigh will honor Dr. Sandra Braham with the "Adelante Con Ganas Award."  Every month Senator Shapleigh awards one or more persons who have made an extraordinary commitment to service, family and community.

Dr. Braham is the Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region, the largest YWCA in the nation with more than 600 employees, an annual budget of more than $30 million and a $7 million foundation. Having held this post since May of 2006, Dr. Braham's focus has been on ensuring the Region's programs for homeless women and children, health and wellness services, racial justice and leadership training, credit counseling and a host of other programs.

Dr. Braham formerly served as Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and Assistant Vice President for Outreach Programs at UTEP, securing more than 18 million dollars in federal and state grants focused on low-income youth. At UTEP, Dr. Braham chaired the President's Advisory Committee on Diversity for three years and established a freshmen seminar course on diversity.

Dr. Braham's numerous honors include the 2008 LULAC Humanitarian Award, the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy's "Coin for Service," the Civil Rights Award from the El Paso NAACP, the YWCA Reach Award and Business Associate of the Year from the American Business Women's Association.

Dr. Braham will be presented with the Adelante Con Ganas Award during a meeting of the Rotary Club of El Paso at First Presbyterian Church's Fellowship Hall (located behind the church) on 1340 Murchison Dr. on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at noon.
 
What:  "Adelante Con Ganas" Award to Dr. Sandra Braham

When:  Thursday, February 19, 2009 at noon.

Where:  First Presbyterian Church's Fellowship Hall (located behind the church) on 1340 Murchison Dr.