MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Hispanic and Latino leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference across the state.
Profiles of these leaders will be published over the course of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. These are people readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Carmen G. Vázquez-AndinoDave Eisenstadter/MassLive.com
Rev. Dr. Carmen G. Vázquez-Andino
Age: 77
Community: Holyoke
Her story: Carmen Vázquez-Andino has spent more than three decades serving Holyoke as a minister at Church of Jesus Christ Agape Ministries, Inc., which she started with her husband in 1992.
As Vázquez-Andino tells it, her contributions to Western Massachusetts are myriad and extend beyond just the church. She attends interfaith meetings with current city leaders, and has done so stretching back several mayoral administrations. Before that, spent 15 years volunteering at the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow.
Now, she visits hospitals and nursing homes to bring an “uplifting word and prayer for the patients.” That outreach work extends to referring people to detox and/or rehab programs along with assisting families needing domestic violence support.
Before she became an ordained minister and before moving to the U.S., Vázquez-Andino obtained a bachelor’s in arts with a concentration as an economist from the Inter American University in Puerto Rico. While living in Puerto Rico with her husband, the Rev. Javier Andino, a professional baseball player, Vázquez-Andino worked for the island’s department of health, planning board and treasury department.
It was only after her husband retired from professional baseball that the couple felt called to come to the States. But Vázquez-Andino’s husband died in January 2001, less than a decade after starting the church.
Vázquez-Andino “continued God’s calling.”
Carmen G. Vázquez-Andino with daughter Leyda M. Andino, who works for the Springfield Public Schools.Dave Eisenstadter/MassLive.com
“With [God’s] help, I have been able to achieve everything I have,” she said. “I have been able to fulfill and continue to walk in every door that has opened for me through his will. I am honored and thankful for everything he has allowed me to do and continues to allow me to do on behalf of our community.”
In her words: “Everyone has a calling in life. Study, seek the advice from mentors that may give you light. Work hard, strive for what you want, be a risk-taker, never be afraid of pursuing your dreams.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
