In Progress … - Artículo Breve

Latin Beat Magazine, May, 2002 by Haydee Vicedo

Helen Hernández
Founder/President
IMAGEN FOUNDATION

President
THE LEGACY GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC.

In Progress, since its inception, has tried to highlight women who are the innovators and visionaries; the folks who are making it more and more possible for Latinos to come away with at least one foot in the door. We look at various women, from corporate executives and entertainers, to entrepreneurs and social activists. It's certainly a special occasion when you meet one woman whose resume and job history doesn't need fluffing and extra adjectives and verbs to make it press-ready. It may sound fictional that one person could be a union organizer (and considered César Chavez and Dolores Huertas mentor and confidante, respectively), could run for congressional office, and be vice president of a huge television production company all in one lifetime. What's even more remarkable is that this woman currently runs her own public relations/public affairs company and is founder and president of Imagen Foundation, a non-profit aimed at increasing the visibility of Latinos in the entertainment industry. Her credentials speak for themselves, and Helen Hernández continues to make her mark as one of the most influential women in the industry.

A California native with Mexican lineage, Helen came from a family of 11 brothers and sisters and is a proud mother of three. She started her career in the '70s as a union organizer for the AFL-CIO; first as an International Representative and then as a director. In the early '80s she joined Norman Lear's Embassy Communications (now Sony Pictures Entertainment) as Vice President of Public Affairs, monitoring everything from script content and special events to eventually becoming the company's official spokesperson. In 1992, she ran for the 30th Congressional District and has continued her work in the political arena. She has been a fundraiser, consultant and campaign manager for various governmental candidates and officers, and remains an active participant in the political field. Amid all this activity, Imagen Foundation was born out of a conversation between Helen, Norman Lear, and the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ). They all felt a strong need to address the lack of representation Latinos were receiving in the entertainment world. They all wanted to give Latinos their due.

The Imagen Latino Media Image Awards (the Foundation's biggest yearly event) is showcasing its 17th year this June and is lauded as one of the entertainment industry's most prestigious award shows. Over the years, the Imagen Foundation has honored such entertainment industry professionals as Antonio Banderas, Phil Roman, Edward James Olmos, Bill Melendez, Rita Moreno, Jennifer López and Héctor Elizondo. The awards exemplify the best of what Hollywood can produce in portraying the image of Latinos and Latino culture. Helen's commitment to providing resource to the newer generations continues, as the foundation heads ah Entertainment Industry Career Fair following the awards show. There's a need for Latinos in the industry to work together, for a support system.

Through Helen's tutelage, these two events alone create the assistance for necessary change.

It certainly does take a distinctive individual to do so many things and be successful at all of them, but as Helen herself knows, it just takes being a woman. "Women by our very nature are very resilient; we're naturally executives because we have to juggle family, juggle work ... making sure the bills are paid, kids are off to school; we are facilitators; that's just the nature of who we are." Helen's words ring true to the success she has achieved and the endeavors she continues to partake in. "My attitude has always been: I have nothing to lose and everything to learn." Helen is still learning, still striving, and, along the way, what may be the most important testament of it all--still giving.

Quick Facts:

Name: Helen Hernández

* Member of the following organizations (limited list): National Council of La Raza, Latino Broadcasting/Public Broadcasting, California Council for the Humanities

* Part of L.A. Times' "Influential Women Traveling Photo Exhibit" (1997)

For more information on Imagen and to contact Helen:
Phone - (323) 644-7965
Fax - (323) 644-2797
email - info@imagen.org