In each nook of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one can discover the fingerprints of the Portuguese and the lasting impact they’ve had in all walks of life, stated Sen. Michael J. Rodrigues, co-chair of the Portuguese American Legislative Caucus, as 22 people and two organizations have been acknowledged June 10 on the forty first annual Heritage Day of Portugal celebration on the Massachusetts State Home.
“Days like this are so vital for us, as a Diaspora, as a result of it permits us to collect and have fun the outstanding accomplishments of our Portuguese neighborhood right here in Massachusetts,” stated Rodrigues, the grandson of Portuguese immigrants.
“In any case, it will be unimaginable and equally irresponsible to inform the story of Massachusetts and never take into account the function the Portuguese have performed shaping the material of this state all of us name house,” he added. “From the textile mills in Fall River to the whaling business in New Bedford, the Portuguese have been pioneers and trailblazers in business, delicacies, tradition, arts and sports activities. Luckly for us, we’re granted the fantastic alternative to acknowledge and honor these distinct people yearly.”
In June of 1985, the Portuguese-American Legislative Caucus with the management of former Rep. Robert Correia of Seventh Bristol District based the Heritage Day of Portugal.
The statewide occasion acknowledges these in Portuguese-speaking communities who assist protect Portuguese cultural traditions whereas giving again to their communities and inspiring future generations to understand and embrace their heritage.
“We’re the second most spoken language within the state of Massachusetts, after English,” stated Rep. António F. D. Cabral, Home co-chair of the Portuguese-American Legislative Caucus. “So, let’s use that as a possibility to essentially take maintain and be proud.”
Cabral harassed how the Portuguese know find out how to reply the decision as effectively to defend the rights and the values within the traditions of this nice nation, recalling that the primary American troopers from the town of New Bedford who died in World Conflict I and Vietnam Conflict – respectively, Walter Goulart and Tiago Reis – have been Portuguese.
“Reis was not solely a Portuguese American; he was actually a Portuguese immigrant, a inexperienced card holder,” he stated. “There are others throughout the Korean Conflict and all the opposite conflicts that we’ve been concerned in.”
He urged Portuguese-Individuals to turn out to be extra civically engaged as a result of it’s vital for the neighborhood to thrive and have its voice heard.
“We’re one of the best on this state in organizing every kind of occasions, from the Day of Portugal occasions to Espírito Santo and Santo Cristo, so let’s take that know-how and apply it throughout the board.”
Attending the ceremony have been members of the Portuguese-American Legislative Caucus, Consul Basic of Portugal in Boston Tiago Araújo, Consul of Portugal in New Bedford Tiago Sousa, Consul Basic of Brazil in Boston Santiago Mourão and Consul Basic of Cabo Verde in Boston Octávio B. Gomes.
Sen. Rodrigues offered Consul Araújo with a Proclamation signed by Gov. Maura Healey declaring June as Portuguese American Heritage Month within the Commonwealth.
Visitor of honor praises honorees for being “bridge builders, guardians of our id”
Duarte Freitas, Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration for the Regional Authorities of the Azores, was the visitor of honor and keynote speaker.
In his remarks, he expressed his gratitude to the Azoreans of the Diaspora for being true ambassadors of the Azores and Azorean traditions.
“You’re additionally bridge builders, guardians of our id and emotional and more and more financial traders within the land the place you have been born or to which you belong to by means of your roots,” he stated. “Thanks for holding the flame of Azorean id alive. For being a residing extension of our islands right here in America. For being in each gesture, each phrase, each custom, a hyperlink between our roots and our future. We rely on you, and you’ll rely on us.”
Freitas stated the Azorean economic system is experiencing important development and holds nice promise for the long run, and immigrant communities have and proceed to play a vital function to advertise the financial growth of the archipelago.
“We live within the Azores at a time of change and affirmation,” he stated. “On this new cycle, our focus has been clear – a extra diversified, extra digital, extra sustainable economic system and one that’s nearer to the individuals.”
He harassed the Azores is experiencing decrease unemployment and GDP development exceeding the nationwide and European Union averages, and taxes are 30 p.c decrease than within the mainland. The archipelago can be breaking tourism information, Azorean exports are growing at double digit charges, and new alternatives of privatization are being launched.
“These are the brand new Azores we’re constructing,” he stated. “And it’s to this mission that I want to invite all of you to contribute. Come make investments, come stay, come breathe on this new Azores. We’re motivated and excited to share this new period with you. There are few locations on this planet the place Individuals are revered, even cherished, as within the Azores. We now have a number of the highest requirements of security surroundings, surroundings high quality and well-being on this planet, and we now have a novel method of welcoming individuals that may make you’re feeling at house.”
Honorees hail from communities all through Massachusetts
Sen. Rodrigues nominated Michael Benevides and Diana Brum.
Born in São Miguel, Benevides got here to Fall River at age one. He’s at the moment vice-president of Portugalia Market, the household’s newest enterprise which has turn out to be a cultural hub and vacation spot in Southeastern Massachusetts. A proud advocate of his heritage, Benevides is the founding father of FABRIC Arts Competition.
Benevides stated it’s an honor to be acknowledged with the identical award his father obtained a few decade in the past.
“It’s a validation for the work that we do each day, which is selling tradition, whether or not or not it’s on the market or the competition,” Benevides stated. “I’ve all the time been very enthusiastic about selling our tradition, so to be acknowledged on this setting is super.”
Brum is a proud Luso-American with deep roots in Portuguese tradition and religion. In 2021-2022, she had the dignity of serving as a Mordoma for the Mordomia at Espírito Santo Church, the place she stays an lively member.
“This can be a nice honor,” stated the Westport resident. “I really like to have the ability to proceed our tradition with the younger era and ensuring our Portuguese heritage continues as effectively. It’s vital to get our younger neighborhood concerned to make our traditions stronger and be capable to proceed them for the long run.”
Rep. Cabral nominated Elisia Saab, a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for Portuguese cultural preservation. Alongside her husband, Mark, she co-founded Superior Polymers, Inc., main the corporate to success within the medical machine business for over 21 years. She is the founder and government director of the Saab Household Basis, and he or she co-founded the Portuguese American Senior Heart in Lowell, which offers meals, assets, and a way of neighborhood to a whole lot of Portuguese seniors.
“This implies loads to me as a result of we will always remember the place we got here from,” stated Saab, who got here right here from Graciosa, Azores, at age 4. “To me, it’s an honor to be Portuguese. I really like being concerned within the Portuguese neighborhood.”
He additionally nominated Dr. Paula Noversa, a professor of Historical past at UMass Dartmouth and former director of the Heart for Portuguese Research and Tradition. She is at the moment the president of the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society in New Bedford and a member of varied Portuguese cultural organizations.
“Preserving and celebrating Portuguese historical past and tradition is a labor of affection; one which I first realized from my dad and mom,” stated the daughter of immigrants from Braga, mainland Portugal. “I’m grateful for this recognition, and I’m honored to face in such esteemed firm.”
Rep. Christopher Hendricks nominated Bruce Oliveira, a member of the New Bedford Faculty Committee, who has been lively in numerous neighborhood organizations.
“Myself and others like me do what we do to try to make a optimistic impression on our communities and the individuals in them,” stated Oliveira, whose great-grandfather immigrated from São Miguel, Azores. “We don’t do it for recognition, however I need to say that receiving recognition provides one the power to proceed.”
Rep. Alan Silvia nominated Monica Sousa, who made historical past as the primary girl to function particular assistant to the mayor of Fall River. She has been very dedicated to neighborhood service, working with native non-profit organizations to mentor youth and adolescents and now supporting elders.
“I’m humbled and honored to obtain this recognition,” stated Sousa, the daughter of immigrants from Capelas, São Miguel, Azores. “I’m extremely pleased with my Portuguese heritage and much more proud to be an American. My dad and mom sacrificed a lot to be right here. Their bravery in navigating and establishing themselves in a brand new nation is one thing I really admire. I’m dedicated to serving to all in my neighborhood and instilling these values in my kids.”
The opposite honorees have been:
- José Mário and Alice Pinto nominated by Sen. Joan B. Beautiful. Born in Faial, Azores, they got here to Peabody in 1970. Their volunteer and fundraising efforts performed an important function in holding the Holy Ghost Society in Peabody alive, making it doable to host quite a few cultural feasts and neighborhood occasions. The couple has additionally been deeply concerned with different organizations, together with Our Woman of Assist Corridor, Clube Luis de Camões, Banda Recreativa de Peabody and the Portuguese Continental Union.
- Dr. Jeffrey Lopes was nominated by Sen. Liz Miranda. A Dorchester native, he’s a Boston Police sergeant, educator and neighborhood advocate devoted to fostering equitable public security. He’s the president of the Massachusetts Affiliation of Minority Legislation Enforcement Officers, the place he champions variety inside legislation enforcement and strengthens community-police relations.
- John P. DaCruz was nominated by Sen. Jacob R. Oliveira. A revered Portuguese-American lawyer, he has a powerful file of public service. He served six years on the Board of Selectmen in Ludlow and later because the city moderator.
- The Holy Ghost Society of Plymouth was nominated by Sen. Dylan A. Fernandes. The Society has performed an important function in sustaining the traditions of the Azorean neighborhood and celebrating the cultural richness of Portuguese Individuals since 1929.
- Lia Moniz was nominated by Rep. David T. Vieira. Born in Terceira, Azores, she is an lively member of the Portuguese American Affiliation of Falmouth, the place she helped manage the junior member program, which has offered youth instruction in folkloric Portuguese dance and conversational Portuguese. This 12 months, she can be serving to manage the 125th anniversary celebration of the Recent Pond Holy Ghost Affiliation.
- Mauro Bastos Pires was nominated by Rep. Danillo Sena. A local of Brazil, he has helped immigrants discover housing and colleges for his or her kids and beforehand served as a translator for the police division, the place he helped fellow Portuguese audio system bridge the language barrier between them and legislation enforcement.
- Sussen Gazal was nominated by Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven. A former journalist from Brazil, she is a devoted advocate for housing justice and immigrant rights in Somerville.
- Natalia Frois was nominated by Rep. Kipp A. Diggs. Along with serving on a number of boards, she has been an avid advocate for girls’s rights and empowerment and was the founding father of Worldwide Enterprise Relations and the Latino Enterprise Community. In 2022, she revealed her first e book “Liberta-se (Free Your self),” a set of poems.
- Fernando Castro was nominated by Rep. Priscilla S. Sousa. Born in Minas Gerais, Brazil, he’s the founding father of Revenue Tax Plus, a Massachusetts-based tax agency with a number of areas. He’s identified for giving again by empowering others by means of data.
- Carlos A. F. Da Silva was nominated by Rep. Rita A. Mendes. A state auditor with the Govt Workplace of Labor and Workforce Growth, Da Silva has been a proud public servant since 2010, when he turned the primary Brazilian-American elected to public workplace in the US, opening the doorways and mentoring different Brazilians looking for political workplace.
- Yberia “Betty” Alfaiate was nominated by Rep. Mark D. Sylvia. Proprietor of Vila Verde restaurant in Fairhaven, Alfaiate was additionally an lively member of the North Fairhaven Enchancment Affiliation.
- Fernando Larguinha was nominated by Rep. Steven J. Ouellette. A local of Ribeira Grande, Azores, he has been very concerned with Westport’s Youth Soccer Program, being its president for 25 years. In 2012, alongside along with his then vice-president, they have been chosen as Westport “Males of the Yr” by the Normal Instances.
- Juju Brito was nominated by Sen. Michael D. Brady. She is described as a Cape Verdean girl who chooses to be everyone’s mother and has demonstrated from a really younger age her spirit of affiliation, activism and care. For 14 years, she has been main the group Deputadas Milionárias, which was created to offer social help in each the US and Cape Verde and is targeted on well being and training.
- Grupo Nossa Senhora das Candeias was nominated by Rep. Kate Hogan. Over their 25 years, the Hudson group has shared conventional folks music and preserved conventional “orally handed” songs, music and lore of the Azorean island of Santa Maria, Azores, in addition to different Portuguese language conventional folks music.
- José Ilídio Pereira was nominated by Rep. Thomas P. Walsh. Born in Faial, Azores, he has performed in numerous Massachusetts ensembles selling heritage music, together with the Filarmónica de Santo António of Cambridge and the Banda Recreativa Portuguesa of Peabody.
- Djofa Tavares was nominated by Rep. Christopher Worrell. Born and raised in a predominantly Cape Verdean neighborhood in Boston, she is a 22-year veteran trainer in Boston Public Colleges and founding father of Kriolu Fundamentals, a web-based platform for educating Cape Verdean Creole. She is the writer of the dual-language kids’s e book “Tiagu and Vovo.”
- Manuel Lopes Borges was nominated by Rep. Brian W. Murray. Co-founder and host for 20 years of the Portuguese radio program “Voice of Portugal” on WMRC, he has served as mayor of the Prospect Heights Affiliation, secretary of the Milford Portuguese Membership and a volunteer ESL teacher on the Milford City Library and Youth Soccer Coach.
Former Sen. Marc R. Pacheco and late Rep. Carol A. Doherty acknowledged with particular recognitions
A particular presentation of the Heritage Day of Portugal Award was made to former PALC co-chair Senator Marc R. Pacheco for his years of service and dedication to the Portuguese neighborhood throughout the Commonwealth.
Sen. Pacheco retired final 12 months after spending 36 years within the Legislature, representing elements of Bristol and Plymouth counties. Tracing his roots to Mega Cimeira in mainland Portugal and São Miguel, Azores, Pacheco was the highest-ranking elected official of Portuguese descent in Massachusetts.
The caucus additionally honored PALC member Rep. Carol A. Doherty, who was serving in her third time period as state consultant when she handed from pancreatic most cancers in February 2025. Doherty traced her roots to Madeira, Portugal, and Cape Verde. The posthumous award was offered to her husband.
The award ceremony was adopted by gentle refreshments within the Nice Corridor.
