LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE - 2019 Summer Edition | Page 38

Latina Lideres Awards
surviving cancer
Vivian Rivera-Hernandez
2019 Latina Mover N Shaker
by: Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla
God is good !!!
A year ago, I was diagnosed with cancer (sarcoma). At that
moment time froze because we had so many questions and the road
ahead was unknown. The one thing we did know is that we believe in
a God of miracles who is faithful and that we were in this
together as a family. Memorial Day weekend plans were canceled as
we prepared mentally and discussions were had. With the love and
support of my husband, son, family and friends who are like family
and who sat through hours daily of treatment, we were able to get
through surgery, radiation and chemo. A process that began June
1st and ended December 7th. A year later, my head is full of hair,
my nails are no longer black from meds and most importantly I feel
Great and looking ahead to every day with more appreciation.
To all who joined my family in prayer, we are forever grateful.
To God all the Glory for He is the God of miracles !!!
LTM: What part of Florida do you live in – are you from Florida?
If not – what brought you to Florida?
Vivian Rivera Hernandez: I live in Brookville, Florida, with my
husband and son. I moved to Hernando County from NJ seek-
ing a better environment and upbringing for my son, and the
beautiful weather was a plus.
LTM: Tell us about where you were born and raised and where
your family is from
Vivian Rivera Hernandez: Born to Puerto Rican parents in New-
ark, NJ in 1970 but moved to PR before entering school and was
privileged to a beautiful childhood in the countryside of Caguas.
I returned to NJ at the age of 13 before entering H.S.
LTM: Tell me about what you do for a living
Vivian Rivera Hernandez: I have been a licensed health insur-
ance agent for over 20 years serving the Medicare population
with their insurance needs.
tion that would support education, music, art and can highlight
four different cultures, heritage and traditions by celebrating the
contributions of Latino Americans to the United States.
LTM: How important is being a Latina to you
Vivian Rivera Hernandez: Being a Latina to me is part of my
identity. My roots, values, culture, and heritage are a huge factor
in molding my character, beliefs, and certain behaviors. Em-
bracing it is accepting who I am.
LTM: What is your favorite type of music, and what is your fa-
vorite song?
Vivian Rivera Hernandez: Although I am a lousy dancer, I do
enjoy music in general. Any tune that can cheer me up, bring
me to a time and place or get me singing at the top of my lungs
in my car, is a great song. I can listen to Parranda music all year
long because it brings back great memories of Navidad en PR
LTM: Tell me about what organizations you are a part of
Vivian Rivera: At this time, due to recent health issues, I only
focus on the organization that I founded in 2012, Miss Hispan-
ic Queen of HC, Inc. and our annual Hispanic Heritage Month
Festival LTM: What do you think some of the best career choices are for
young Latinas
Vivian Rivera Hernandez: I encourage young Latinas to get an
education and invest in themselves and their future. Pick a ca-
reer that brings you joy and enhances your talents. A career you
can love and feel passionate about years down the road still.
LTM: Tell us about the biggest highlights of your career
Vivian Rivera Hernandez: One of my biggest highlights was to
create history in our community in 2012 by have county com-
missioners signed the first ever Proclamation in our County rec-
ognizing Hispanic Heritage Month. This organization served as
a step forward in the right direction of creating cultural aware-
ness and recognizing diversity in Hernando County. LTM: Tell us about what kind of projects you currently have go-
ing on
Vivian Rivera Hernandez: I am on the road to recovery and
looking forward to new projects for our organization in our
community in the next few years. Enjoying what God is doing
with the vision.
LTM: As a Latina leader in the community, business or other…
what has been your biggest challenge and how have you been
able to overcome it
Vivian Rivera Hernandez: When I first moved here, it became
clear the lack of cultural knowledge and diversity in this area
as it regarded Hispanics. Some of our local Floridians even ex-
pressed interest and the curiosity of wanting to learn more. This
contributed to my vision of giving back by creating an organiza-
LTM: What did I miss? Tell me something you want us to know!
Vivian Rivera Hernandez: (I put God first in all I do and enjoy
spending time with my husband and son and creating memo-
ries. I enjoy a good conversation and still learning something
new every day.)
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