NEW YORK, April 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Pro Mujer (Pro Women in Spanish) – an international nonprofit that delivers client-driven, market-based and financially sustainable solutions to low-income women entrepreneurs in Latin America – will celebrate 25 years of trailblazing new paths for women at its “Giving Women Credit” Gala on Tuesday, April 14^th at The Pierre hotel in NYC.

Melanne Verveer, the first-ever U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues and current Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, will be the inaugural recipient of the Pro Mujer Global Voice Award. The event will also honor Dr. Julio Frenk, Dean of the Faculty, Harvard University’s School of Public Health and Walter Dolhare, Co-Head of the Markets Division for Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, for their commitment to create a more just and equal world.

Pro Mujer client Arely Pavon Torres will be recognized with the Entrepreneur of the Year award. Two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Ysabel Duron will emcee the event, which will convene 500 leaders from the corporate, philanthropy and media sectors.

“For 25 years, Pro Mujer has quietly been at the forefront of developing, testing and scaling up innovative solutions for the social and financial inclusion of women in Latin America,” said Rosario Perez, President and CEO of Pro Mujer. “In a region with the highest levels of inequality in the world, we have been leveling the playing field by providing low-income women entrepreneurs with access to an integrated package of financial services, business and empowerment training and life-saving healthcare. Our goal is to help women realize their self-worth and unlock their potential as catalysts of change. This year’s event not only celebrates the community of supporters that have helped make our successes possible, it signals a dynamic new era of greater organizational investments so we can reach more women.”

Perez, who was recognized as a 2014 Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur for Pro Mujer’s groundbreaking health care program that delivers market-based solutions to tackle chronic disease added, “I am pleased to recognize Melanne, Julio and Walter for their work to address some of the most pressing global issues of our times. I am particularly proud of Arely Pavon Torres who will receive the Entrepreneur of the Year award. Her courage, hard work and perseverance are an inspiration to us all.”

Ambassador Melanne Verveer has dedicated her career to the advancement of global women’s rights. Verveer was nominated by President Obama in 2009 to be the first-ever U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues, providing counsel on women’s rights, democracy and peace building initiatives. During the Clinton administration, she served as Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady. Since 2013, she has served as the Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.

Dr. Julio Frenk is perhaps best known for introducing universal access to affordable health care for millions of uninsured Mexicans, particularly for poor women. He served as Mexico’s Minister of Health from 2000 to 2006, during which time he expanded access to health care for tens of millions of previously uninsured Mexicans. He is the founding Director-General of Mexico’s National Institute of Public Health, one of the leading institutions of health education and research in the developing world, as well as a member of the World Health Organization. He served as a Senior Fellow in the global health program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and as President of the Carso Health Institute in Mexico City. In 2009, Dr. Frenk assumed his current role as the Dean of the Faculty at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Walter Dolhare is a philanthropist and business leader who showcases the work of Latin American artists as a way to highlight important development issues in the region. He has more than 20 years of experience in capital markets and a deep commitment to Latin America. Originally from Argentina, he joined Wells Fargo in 1995 and has held a number of leadership positions at the firm. Since 2012, Dolhare has served as Co-Head of the Markets Division, Wells Fargo Securities.

Funds raised from the “Giving Women Credit” Gala will support Pro Mujer’s award-winning programs. Tables/tickets can be purchased by calling Camy Calve Events at 212-218-4080 or by visiting Pro Mujer’s website here.

About Pro Mujer

Pro Mujer transforms low-income women’s lives in in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. In the last 25 years, the organization has disbursed more than US$2 billion in small loans, and provided health care and training to nearly 2 million women and their 6.4 million children and family members. Pro Mujer is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization.

To get involved, please visit www.promujer.org or join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.

For more information, please contact:
Joshua Cramer-Montes
Cell: +1 (917) 674-3510
jcramermontes@promujer.org