St. Francis College Athletic Director Irma Garcia was honored October 1at The White House, in Washington, D.C. as a 2008 Las Primeras Award Recipient by MANA, A National Latina Organization, for becoming the first Hispanic woman to run an NCAA Division I Athletic Program. Another reception will be held the next day at the Organization of American States, Hall of the Americas.

"This is a great honor for me," said Athletic Director Garcia. "I've wanted this job since I was a little girl. I had no idea I would be breaking down barriers when I finally achieved my goal. I'm happy to do anything I can to bring more women along the path to success."

This is the 19^th year MANA has hosted a Gala recognizing Latinas who have accomplished firsts. The black tie event is a key event during Hispanic Heritage Month and will be attended by more than 300 people including public and private sector leaders, Members of Congress and key administration officials

Past honorees include the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, first Latina elected to Congress; Dr. Antonia Novello, first Latina to become Surgeon General; Dr. Ellen Ochoa, first Latina Astronaut and General Angela Salinas, highest ranking Latina and the first Latina selected to the rank of Brigadier General.

MANA is a national grassroots organization founded in 1974 made up of chapters and individual members across the country. MANA's mission is to empower Latinas through leadership development, community service and advocacy.

St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City's five boroughs and beyond.
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St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
www.sfc.edu