Janet served as the Board Chair for the LGBT Center on 13th Street and then as their Director of Development, moved to GMHC where she served as Director of Development, Chief Operating Officer and then Acting Chief Executive Officer then moved over to the Educational Alliance, where she served as Chief Operating Officer. A force of nature, Janet was a leader in the LGBT communities and touched countless lives. She passed last September and is greatly missed.
Maria Rodriguez is a multifaceted Latina female with roots from her native country of Ecuador. Maria was raised in the Bronx – a borough with a wide array of diversity. She remains connected to the Bronx through her career in Health services; helping those who have been marginalized and disenfranchised in society.
Maria has always been a true advocate for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ community.
Committed to uplifting and serving the South Bronx community, the Hands In 4 Youth Melrose Elite Dance Team is a family more than it’s a dance team. This school year, the youth were inspired to join forces with their school community and start a GSA once they discovered that some of their teammates needed a safe and loving environment to be themselves.
