Entertainment

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NEW YORK, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Siempre Mujer's fourth-annual "Always Inspiring" Latina women are revealed in the magazine's October/November issue. The 2009 honorees -- Shakira, Maria Celeste Arraras, Teresa Rodriguez, Charytin Goyco, Karen Hoyos, Doctor Ana Maria Polo and Amelia Toro -- were chosen for their hands-on commitment to important causes in the Hispanic community.

In her introduction, co-anchor of Noticiero Univision and 2008 "Siempre Inspiran" honoree Maria Elena Salinas discusses the great strides Latina women made in the year of Justice Sonia Sotomayor's appointment to the Supreme Court, saying about her now-famous "wise Latina" comment: "That small phrase has given the Hispanic woman a major reason to keep pushing ahead, to feel proud of her heritage, to feel strong and wise." And what about Sotomayor's controversial statement that Latina women come to better conclusions than white men? Salinas says: "It is precisely our experiences in the United States that give us a unique perspective. We've learned to succeed in a sexist world. We're raised in a world of two cultures, two languages and two sets of traditions."

This year's honorees are:

-- Cover Star Shakira - This superstar singer's "Pies Descalzos" foundation has built two schools for kids in her hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia. She believes that a good education allows kids to "break the chains of poverty and achieve equal opportunities and, ultimately, peace."

-- Al Rojo Vivo Anchor Maria Celeste Arraras - Arraras never fails to use her media powerhouse status to empower Hispanics, penning a book called Live Your Life in Bold Red: Secrets to Help You Triumph. She is also a spokesperson for Autism Speaks and supports many environmental organizations, including Wild Coast.

-- Aqui y Ahora Anchor Teresa Rodriguez - Rodriguez has dedicated countless hours to righting the injustices against women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Her book, The Daughters of Juarez, is focused on ending violence against women worldwide. Rodriguez also became a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, helping Hispanic families to adopt healthy lifestyles, after her husband died of a heart attack in 2003.

-- Escandalo TV Anchor Charytin Goyco - Goyco has committed herself to improving the lives of orphaned kids in Latin America and the Caribbean through two organizations: "Project Hope" and "The Orphaned Starfish Foundation."

-- Personal Coach Karen Hoyos - Six years ago, Hoyos fled an abusive relationship in Colombia. Today, she is president of Karen Hoyos International, which teaches personal success strategies. Revenues from the organization help support her foundation for abused children in Latin America and Africa, Kids for a New Planet.

-- Lawyer and Judge on Telemundo's Caso Cerrado Doctor Ana Maria Polo - As a breast cancer survivor, Polo supports the Susan G. Komen foundation at fundraisers and events, traveling to Latin American countries in order to raise awareness for the disease.

-- Fashion Designer Amelia Toro - Toro works exclusively with indigenous women in her native Colombia to produce her bright, textured clothes. She also opened up a fashion workshop in Bogota, which employees more than 100 women, mostly single mothers.

The October/November issue of Siempre Mujer is on newsstands now.

SOURCE Siempre Mujer