by Erika Abad, Puerto Rican Cultural Center
In the midst of personal struggle and continued efforts to advocate for TransLatin@ activists, Maritxa Vidal was named an Honorary Global Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations. On behalf of the United Nations, Dr. Clyde Rivers has been traveling for 25 years as a Goodwill Ambassador. Five years ago, he started this award, naming 25 Global Goodwill Ambassadors a year. This honor reflects Maritxa’s lifelong commitment to the transgender, lesbian, bisexual community, along with the work she has done in HIV testing, prevention and counseling.
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center Vida SIDA have seen her develop as an advocate for LGBT community members here in our community as well as for her national work with TransLatin@ Coalition. Whether mentoring young translatinas trying to find their place in the city, talking with allies about the needs of TransLatin@s, Vidal advocates for the needs of LGBT Latinxs across the city and the country. The PRCC is proud of her lifelong commitment to our community and is also thrilled that the United Nations goodwill branch has recognized her for all the work she has done.